Growing Up

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”  Luke 6:38 (ESV)

Lyss helping build a desk...2009

There are days where I just pray that we've taught pur kids well enough.  I mean, before we know it, they will be leaving home and won't have their parents to remind them of what they should be doing..  It kind of reminds me of the following poem...

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten  

by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

Those are some simple yet profoud lessons.  Have we taught Alyssa and Kyle well enough to lend a helping hand, to give abundantly, or look on other people with compassion and empathy?  Will they ever learn to "clean up their own mess", send a thank-note without being reminded, or do something that is someone else's job?

I know that as they grow up, and as they sink themselves into being followers of Christ, they'll learn those lessons all on their own.  I can trust God's work in their lives, and know without a shadow of a doubt, that some of this growth will come with age.  Yahoo.

Lord, thank you for being continually at work in our children's lives.  You have important lessons for them to learn, and you are continually guiding them into greater understanding, deeper maturity, and a pleasing reflection of you.  Make Alyssa and Kyle people who give to others out of the abundant love in their heart, use their hands to bless those in need, and remember to think of others above themselves.  Grow them up, Father, to be adults who reflect you in all that they say and do.  You are living and active in them, and I give you all the thanks and praise.