Oh those boys…
All those snips and snails and puppy dog tails. All those construction vehicles and dirt. All that laughter and joy over even the smallest of things. All that wrestling.
They are two and three years old yet are complete and total buds on most days and the bitterest of enemies on others. They have the power to make one another laugh about something that is known only to them but then also anger one another in a way that no one else can. They can speak a secret language but then won’t talk to one another on a whim.
They are brothers.
Close-in-age brothers at that.
My prayer is that all three of my children, Susannah, Sawyer, and Solomon, will have fond memories of their childhood. I pray they will know Him and believe in Him. I pray they will not turn away. I pray that their heartbreaks are few and their laughter is much.
Last week while working through my Breaking Free homework, Beth Moore asked “What are your dreams for your children?”
Have you ever heard a more loaded question? How about what AREN’T my dreams for my children? I can’t even begin to put it all in words but am beginning to think I should.
All in all, perhaps what I pray for the very most is that they have each other’s backs. That not only will they have God on their side but will always be able to rely on the fact that their siblings will be as well. They are there for one another in adversity.
I don’t expect them to always agree or to be carbon-copies of one another – in fact, I pray the opposite is true. I pray that they will become the unique individuals that only they can be to fulfill who God created them to become and want them to learn that when we don’t always agree, we have the opportunity to walk deeper with someone and know them that much more intimately.
As we bid farewell to summer and look to a new season, I pray that these siblings, these joys of my life, will love one another at all times but most of all, will form a safety net, a safe-haven, that will allow for their mistakes, their foibles, and their guffaws.
For it is only in deep relationships like these that we begin to fully grasp the steadfastness, love, and grace of Jesus.
The one who forgives us all of our own foibles, mistakes and guffaws on a daily basis.
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What a great photo Natalie!! I feel like jumping in there with them LOL!
Great message too… I am sure your children will grow up appreciating one another and their differences too. You’re a great Mommy!
Bless you and happy WFW!
Well said, Natalie.
As Christian moms, I think we all want our children to grow in their own walks with God and use their lives in a way that pleases Him.
As the youngest sister of four girls, two of my sisters have always been there for me. I thank God for their love and wisdom and support, and I am so with you on the hoping for the same kind of relationships for my own kids. I hope I am parenting with that focus in mind…
.-= Heather´s last blog ..14 years ago today =-.
Amen! I pray the same thing for my girls!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..1000 Gifts =-.
Hey Natalie….ya’ll recovered over there??
I’m in the Breaking Free study myself and thank you for the heads up…I haven’t gotten to that question! :) You’ve given my time to think and ponder….I pray that mine (15, 13 and 10 ) can grow in love and friendship as well….I want them to be friends and “stick together…”
I can so relate to this post….loved it!
peace,
lori
Cute picture! And what a great question from Beth Moore. I’m going to have to think about that one. Thanks for sharing! Happy WFW!
There is a blog award for you on my blog, but NO pressure to follow the rules. Just wanted to let you know I think you are awesome!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Need some incouragement Today =-.
What a great post….my children are all grown but I still have dreams for them and want them to be all that God wants them to be.
Awesome…have a great new season with the joys of your life!
They look like twins…it is TRUE…there is nothing like family…I tell the kids they will need to cling together all their lives and be best friends=)
I do dream for them…it gets tricky b/c I am NOT in charge=)
.-= Lois of HisFireKids´s last blog ..WFW &ndash Twins Re-dedication Service on Coast of Maine- TEACHING THEM HIS WAYS&hellip&hellip =-.
So cute.
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There is a bloggy award for you on my blog! But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pressure to follow the rules! Just wanted to know you are one of my fav’s in the world of blogginess!!!
.-= Stephanie Clayton´s last blog ..Bloggy AwardsBlogs I love!!! =-.
I’ve actually often thought of the dreams I have for my children. Many of mine you have already so eloquently worded. There are very few things that have brought me more joy in life than watching the love grow between my children. It is one of those rare parenting moments when I think to myself, “maybe I am doing something right!” OR maybe God’s love just fills their little hearts so much that it is spilling out to their siblings. Either way, it fills my heart with joy to see my little 2-year old’s chubby hands reach out to smother his big sister with a big heart-felt hug!