I’ve been thinking about children quite a bit lately, especially my own. As adults, we are the ones teaching our children. Although that is typically the case, I find my own kids teaching me more and more about life, God, and how we should live.
As a family, we’ve gone through so much the past few months with Mario’s job and ministry. It hasn’t been easy. Some days Mario and I just want to quit. At times, things have seemed very hopeless and completely overwhelming. Last week was a very tough week. It all started on Sunday morning when a storm hit SLC and our power was out for over 24 hours. The rest followed: both cars broke down, our kids were sick, both Mario’s parents were in the hospital, Mario’s new job at Olive Garden didn’t work out (he wasn’t making much money at all for working long hours). It has just been really rough. But it was through all of what seemed to be bad that my kids reminded me of all that was good.
We were quite annoyed the power was out so long but our kids were absolutely thrilled to have a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa’s. When both cars broke down in less than 24 hours, I was thinking,
“Are you kidding me? How in the world can we afford to pay for it?” When the tow truck came to get our car, our kiddos were so excited to see it towed away by such a big noisy tow truck. It reminded them of Mater, the tow truck from the movie Cars. When they were sick, I felt exhausted after being up with them all night. It is always hard to see your kids sick and uncomfortable. But they loved having a movie day at home and time to cuddle with Mom. It was very difficult to see both of our parents sick and in the hospital, but when we went up to the hospital to see grandpa Efren, they were not only happy to see him, but they were thrilled to go up the “alligator” (aka elevator) and to lay on the hospital bed, making it go up and down.
It has been really hard to see Mario work as much as he has, only to have come home with bad tips. I’ve missed him. Although the kids missed their Daddy, they always squealed with excitement every time he walked through the door when he got home. They always had the biggest smiles on their faces, especially when he would bring them a yummy treat. It was really priceless one night, as they emptied their piggy banks and brought Daddy all of their change to help out. We’ve tried not to let our kids know our stresses, but they see it and feel it. It makes me proud to see my kids have such generous and compassionate hearts.
I know as adults we work to make sure things are taken care of (bills, work and the well being of the family). As I’ve watched the way my kids handle things compared to how we adults do, I have come to realize the lessons they have taught me. I tend to dwell on the bad instead of finding the good things. They aren’t beaten down by life stresses and the definitely are far from feeling hopeless. Although they definitely feel some of the backlash, they are quick to move on and find joy in the everyday blessings. I want that for myself. God wants that for each one of us.
This past week we celebrated Thanksgiving. Can I just say, I really do have so much to be thankful for. I’ve been given so much. I’m blessed beyond measure. I’m thankful for the two most precious little gifts I have been given: Londy and Brayden. Not just so I can be their mom. although I find it an absolute joy and privilege, but to experience life, love and joy. God has given them to me, but He’s also used them to reveal Himself to me in more ways than I count. We can know the goodness of God in all circumstances when we have him in our lives. However, I’m reminded that it often means I need to become like a child.
