First things first, if you did not read the post before this as you were getting ready for Spring Break, please read Hurry Up and Wait Part 1.
If you are in a hurry, you need to know that HU means “Hurry Up,” or “Hurry-Upping.” Got it?
When I left you last time, I was quickly making my way to the carpool line. I jetted into the store for dinner ingredients and I couldn’t help but notice the MANY people in a hurry. People in the grocery store today are nothing like I’ve ever seen before. I don’t know if Americans are just the poorest of time-managers or if there is such a need for task-completion these days that we don’t take time to enjoy anything anymore. The aisles of the store were wide, but I found myself more than once pulled by an invisible magnetic force to the opposing side of the aisle to prevent myself from any bodily harm by the “Hurry-Upper” coming my way. “Whew” and “whew” as they briskly made their way down the aisles. I couldn’t help but to smile and giggle to myself about the RUSH that everyone is in. I thought that if my grandparents were alive they would find this grocery store activity incredulous. Watch out shoppers!!! Who knew grocery shopping could be dangerous to your health?
Yesterday I was at the dentist for a cleaning. It was not particularly pleasant. I must have eaten a lot of candy the past 6 months is what I concluded after the results of the x-rays. I wanted to HU and get out of there. That’s an okay thing to HU for, right?
What’s not okay to HU about? I’ve heard people say before that they can’t wait for their kids to HU and grow up and get out of the house. That makes my heart sad because I don’t feel that way at all. We are a selfish people, I know, but it seems that when God gives us our heart’s desire (husband and children seem to be the main goal of women) we wish it away. I also understand that some children are difficult and parenting strategies may have to be modified and/or implemented in a stronger way for him/her than your other children. Parenting is NOT easy, but is it the most rewarding work I have ever done. I invest more of my time into my children and the Lord than anything else. (still working on catch up with my husband) My time is the most valuable thing I have control of, you too. You cannot put a price tag on your time.
There are different ways we spend time with our children. For instance, my youngest needs a lot of assistance with her work and this means a few hours (not kidding) every afternoon with her. It’s especially difficult for me when we are preparing for a test or solving long math problems and LOTS of math problems. I want to HU and get it over with, but I know that the time I am tutoring her has VALUE. I could easily hire a tutor for her and I may have to one day, but for now, I am showing her love and patience by helping her and that it’s important to me that she succeed in her schoolwork. Our girls will be mothers one day. Isn’t it our job to model christian behavior for them? God tells us in Titus 2:3-5 that older women should teach and train younger women. See link to the scripture below.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+2:3-5&version=NKJV
I am so incredibly thankful for the “older” women who taught me so many things. I wish that my grandmother was still here so I could ask her a zillion more questions. I am now the “older” woman and I so enjoy spending time with girls of all ages talking about life and sharing God’s truths with them.
The time we spend with our children is invaluable. Don’t be in a rush. My oldest daughter now has a countdown on her phone of the days she has left with her family before she leaves for college. It will break my heart to see her go as you know if you read this blog post…
Last night, I disclosed to my teenagers a not-so-pleasant fact about men and the Muslim religion from the book Destination Jerusalem. I will not disclose it here, you’ll have to call me. It was very disturbing to them. As parents, we have the opportunity to discuss many unpleasant topics with our children. If we don’t, someone else will. Be brave, be courageous. Your children will remember the spoken life lessons. I know I do:)) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
There is a beautiful harvest to be had with your children. Be expectant, don’t lose expectancy. Don’t get tired, don’t complain. Ask God for grace, lots and lots of grace, children grace. Grace to get through.
As we inch closer and closer to Easter, take the time to think about the act of love God committed for us. It was an ACTIVE gift of love by sending His Son to live with His created people for 33 years and then to die for our sins. Jesus spent time with us, a lot of time. The 3 most active years of His ministry impacted our world greater than > any other figure known to man. The Holy Bible remains the top-selling book of ALL time. Only God can do that. He is control of ALL time. Spend some time in your Bible, pray for revelation of His Word to you. It is for your enjoyment. Get in a small group, start a Bible-study, pray with your family. Bless God with your time and don’t HU through it.