"Hey mom, can I show you something?"

That's how a conversation started tonight with my daughter, Shelby.  Everyone else had left the dinner table and it was just us.  She put her hand on my shoulder and said "I want to show you something".  As she went to get the computer, I sat, happily, waiting.  See Shelby is a teenager and to say that we don't always see "eye to eye" these days is an understatement.  We seem to have a lot more confrontational moments.  It's not how I like or would prefer it to be, but it is how things are.  Raising a teenager, for me, has been very emotionally draining for me.  So, when she wants me attention, I give it to her fully and say a prayer of Thanks that she still wants to share with me.

On this night she wanted to show me some YouTube videos.  She is doing speech this year and has been looking up spoken word poetry.  She showed me several videos.  Videos I knew she liked.  To be honest, I liked them too.  I can completely see Shelby doing spoken word.  She is an amazing speaker and can present herself to an audience very well.  She never lacks for words.  The last video she showed me brought me to tears.  It gives me hope and comfort to carry on.  I'm thankful for the moments that happened tonight. 

I'm so thankful for the family God has given me.  Even when it is hard to carry on and not give up..because, BELIEVE ME..there are days that giving up seems to be so much easier.. God gives me moments like I had tonight with Shelby.  Just what I needed.

Do your kids repeat you?

 

I was outside this morning with the dogs and I heard a bird giving a call out.  Shortly after I heard another bird repeat what the first bird did.  It made me think of the Mockingjay in the book The Hunger Games.  But then it made me think of my kids.

I thought "do my kids repeat what I say?" Do I want them to repeat what I say? Am I setting a good example for them? As I pondered this, I began to realize that, I DO want them to learn from me.  I understand that there are outside influences in their lives.  To be honest, I try to influence and direct those influences when I can.  Some instances I can (youth group) and some instances I can't (school).  But ultimately their foundation is set at home.  I (and my husband) have the responsibility to be do-ers.  I desire they repeat what I do considerably more than what I desire they repeat what they see at school. 

My kids are going to repeat and learn from someone.  I want that someone to be their dad and me.

I'm thankful for this reminder this morning.  I know God was reminding me of this when I took the time to listen.  Listen to the birds and also listen to God.