I need you guys to get ready! We're going to go somewhere really fun today!" I announced.
"Where are we going? How are we going to get there?" came the pleas from the kids.
I answered them. "I'm not going to tell you. It's a surprise. You guys just need to prepare yourselves."
"What do we need to do? What should we wear? What should we bring with us?" I could sense the excitement. They wanted very much to go to this fun surprise, but they weren't sure what they needed to do.
"Don't worry about anything. You don't need to bring anything. Just get dressed in comfortable clothes, brush your teeth, comb your hair, and please don't fight or bug each other while getting ready," I assured them.
"But where are we going? We want to know," they whined.
"It's an awesome place! I guarantee you'll love it! You'll have the best time and you'll see some friends there as well. Trust me. Now get ready!"
So, the kids went off to get dressed, but moments later the fighting started.
"He hit me."
"She took my game."
"But I don't have a game like that and I want it!"
"But it's not yours!"
"But you don't share!"
"She called me a smelly warthog."
"He's lying!"
SIGH
"Children, that's not how you prepare to go. Don't try to kill each other. Don't steal your brother's game. Don't worry about what your brother has that you don't. And don't call each other warthogs, or any other names. If you can't follow these directions, you won't be going," I informed them.
"But what if we don't even like where we're going? Why won't you tell us more? When are we leaving?" they whined.
"Why don't you trust me? Haven't I always taken care of you? Have I ever hurt you? Have I ever told you to do anything that would be bad for you? Why can't you just do what you're instructed to do? Why the constant questions? Why do you continuously search for a reason to believe me? Why don't you simply have faith?"
Sometimes it's so frustrating to be a parent. You know what's best for your kids. You try to provide for their needs. You try to instruct them on how they need to behave. But you can't make them do what you want. They have to choose how they behave. Being a parent makes me feel close to God.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
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32 comments:
So.....where did you go?
This post cracked me up. But I must say, I am dying to know.....where were you taking them??
You never said where you took them, so I must ask Where did you go, where did you go? LOL
very insightful, dawn.
enjoyed this very much. :)
Amen!
OK where did we get to go??
I can not wait to find out.
Lol, where did you end up going? =]
Well I'm as bad as they are....where'd u go?
I love this post! It sounds very similar to my day...shoot most of my days when you refer to the constant sibling bickering. You right about kids choosing how they behave though. Seems like no matter what I do or how I try to teach them, they like to do the complete opposite of what I said. Go figure. LOL
so I will be the first to ask... Where did you go?
So where did you take the kids after all?
wow you look good!! I would say between 25 and 30. Too bad I am married.
No kidding. I'm sure I sometimes hear God sigh and roll his eyes when I make a foolish decision even after being pointed in the right direction.
Luckily, He's also very forgiving. And it's a very good thing He is; I need forgiving often.
Are we there yet?
I can't tell you how many times God has spoken to me through the words I've said to my children: "Have I ever let you down?" (ouch) "Haven't I always met your needs?" (ooh) "Aren't you thankful for the things you DO have?" (yikes)
I could obviously go on and on (and on!) This was a great post :-)
We are acting like the kids too. WHERE DID YOU TAKE THEM?
Beautiful! I think I needed that little (or BIG) reminder that I just need to trust God and do what I am supposed to do. It is my nature to question but I know I need to trust that God will provide if I do what I am supposed to do. Thank you, Dawn! :)
Can't wait to hear where you took them or if you just gave up.
We had our 3 grandkids and decided to take them to a neat park we found. Well, my husband said he had a surprise for them and we were going somewhere on Saturday. For 2 days they drove us nuts asking where it was and what it was called and why he was sure they would like it. Even the day we told them it was time to go they drove us nuts for the whole 15minute drive. After that my husband said he will never tell them ahead of time again. LOL
Wow. That was awesome. Thanks.
(Maybe you ought to start writing devotionals, too!)
I'm sure you wanted to know how much us adults would whine about where you took them; because you know we all want to know. I just know you're clever that way.
Tonia, Castaic CA
A gentle reminder of how God feels about us!
But... WHERE did you take them?!
I get shotgun!!!! Where we goin'???? ;o)
Donna in PA :)
now come on...you did this to us on purpose!
Well, where did you go? How did you get there? Did the kids have fun? Were they suprised? Did they behave themselves? How many more times did they ask you where you were going? Did I ask enough questions???? LOL!!
Can't wait for your post on your adventure with the kids!
This was an awesome awesome post. Thanks for that. (I agree with you writing devotionals as well).
That's interesting. My 4-year old doesn't ask where are we going. She starts naming off all of the places she doesn't want to go: No Big-Girl School! No Church! No Camp! The list goes on and on.
Dawn, you are so clever! What a perfect way to remind us that we are all children of God!
Love the post especialy the end. Quoted you and linked you on my facebook accounts (I have two). This post was very profound.
I have to agree with Letty & VT...please make the 3rd book one of devotionals for moms. This post was so beautiful and meaningful and I needed to hear the "message" in it right now. Thanks!
I'm just as bad as your kids - I want to know where they are going! Do I really have to brush my hair?
He hit me.
She's touching me.
I have to go potty.
Are we there yet?
I forgot my shoes!
Did someone let the dogs out before we left?
When will we be back?
Can I bring my friend, Maddie?
MOOOOOOOMMMMM!?!
Great parallel. I love the lessons God teaches while your kids are driving you batty. :)
"Being a parent makes me feel close to God." LOL. That's hilarious, (but probably very true).
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