Friday, March 27, 2009

Don't judge October apples in June.

Question Forum from Missy at It's Almost Naptime:
What is the best advice about parenting you ever received?

Don't judge October apples in June.

I am often (okay, almost always) concerned with the willfulness of my toddlers. Okay, especially the one that looks like me, acts like me...yes, I refer to Curious Georgette! Although, I must say that Sweet Boobah is holding his stubborn own these days!

Don't judge October apples in June.

This advice shows the mark of my own maturing faith in God not to try to play Holy Spirit in the lives of my children. It helps me to remember that true repentance, genuine spiritual insight and real faith are the fruits of the Holy Spirit and not something I can control or will to happen.

Sometimes, the longing of my heart to see my kids, "turn out right" causes me to make mountains out of molehills about nearly everything. Every spilled cup, sneeze or childish sin is not an occasion for a mini sermon or spiritual lesson. It can be hard to just relax with my kids. It can be difficult to see the humor in their antics...even though I can easily laugh about my friend's kids with them.

Bottom line is that PARENTING IS STRESSFUL...and it is especially so if we take on God's job as well as our own. God's work is lasting, wise, patient and all-knowing...among a plethora of other good things.

We must trust Him.

Only He can see the "October apples" when it is only June!

5 comments:

Nicole - Life in Progress said...

I'm the queen of making molehills into mountains. I'm also really good at genuinely smiling at the antics of friend's kids while freaking out about those of my own.

This is excellent advice, and some I can always use a reminder on.

Colored With Memories said...

i've never heard that phrase..that is one to remember for sure...

your words are so true...thanks for posting!

Sandy @ The Scoop on Balance said...

That is so liberating. I need to do more of that...laughing instead of always trying to teach.

Thank you,
Sandy

Beverly said...

Wish I would have learned this while still raising mine...I've never heard that phrase. Thanks for the post.

Missy said...

Ack. You don't know how badly I needed to hear this.

I have a specialty in child development and I STILL look at their actions now and decide they are future sociopaths instead of just preschoolers. Seriously. It's ridiculous.

I need to hang this up in my kitchen!