Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Parting Words

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 11: 19


It's the same every day.
At 8:10 my son and I stand on the corner waiting for our neighbor, and then the three of us walk to school.
The boys will lag behind and I'll tell them to keep coming. Then they'll run ahead and turn around to wait for me.
They'll grab sticks laying by the road and pretend to shoot passing cars. (If you drive by us, don't worry. They're harmless!)
At some point, there's usually talk about the latest game in gym class, and more recently - what's on top of the Christmas wish-list.

But whatever the topic of conversation has been, our parting words are always the same.
Me: Remember, Matthew - God created you.
Matthew: I know.
Me: He loves you.
Matthew: I know.
Me: And He has a purpose for your life.
Matthew: I know.
((Hug))

I believe Matthew does know those things. But I will continue to remind him every day when I take him to school. Because Matthew is only nine years old, and I know there will come days when he's older and the questions of life are more significant than whether to have pizza or a hamburger for lunch. There will be a time when his trials are more serious than learning how to order decimals and memorizing state capitals. One day he'll wish his greatest fear was asking the class bully to give him back his ball.
When those days come, I want my son to be firmly established in his confidence that God created him, loves him, and has a purpose for his life. So as long as he'll listen, I'm going to keep stating those parting words.
And, you know? The day he thinks he's "too big" for me to say them, I think I'll start whispering them to him when he's asleep in bed.

How about you? Of what do you want your children to be confident when they're older? Do you have any special parting words - for school, or bedtime, or otherwise? We'd love to hear about them in the comment section!

~Karen

7 comments:

  1. that is so sweet karen, thanks for the reminder to tell them the most important things in life EVERY day. i actually see you walking to school sometimes :) my single prayer for my kids is that they KNOW God, not the facts of the Bible, or the popular prayers, but that they truly know of His love for them. I hope it will encourage them to live out their life bringing glory to God.

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  2. Thanks, Kelly.
    I agree with you, wanting our children to know God. Not just know about Him, but to really know Him. Yes!
    Oooo! It was a cold walk this morning, but I am doing my best to treasure this opportunity with Matthew.
    ~Karen

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  3. I always tell my girls after prayers at bedtime that God made them special and God loves you. Sometimes I hear the "i know" like they've heard it all before tone, but I still always say it. I love how you add He has a purpose for your life, too. I think that's so important for them to 'get'!

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  4. I agree with Kelly, your comments are so precious. What a wonderful mom you are for giving Matthew this daily sprinkling to firmly establish his roots.
    Sending you Christmas blessings and cheer.
    Kelli

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  5. Love this Karen! God is always a topic of conversation over here but I love how you have made this something you implant in his heart before you leave him. I think I want to do that with my little grand-girls.

    Love you!!

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  6. Sounds like "benediction" to me in its purest form; as my older boys (college) leave to return to school, we always pray. It sometimes feel a bit awkward to gather them in my arms and offer a prayer on their behalf (at least for them), but it is my privilege and joy to do so.

    For as long as I have breath...

    Benediction, sister.

    For the younger generation as well.

    peace to you today~elaine

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  7. O Mom - Honestly, I remind Matthew that God has a purpose for his life just as much for my benefit as for his. Some days I really need to remember that - especially if we've had a particularly "ADHD" kind of morning.

    Kelli - Thank you. I pray his roots are being firmly established!

    Edie - You're an awesome Grandma, and I think your grand-girls would love to hear similar words from you!

    Elaine - You know, don't you, that you're the one who inspired me with your benediction post! Yes. For as long as I have breath!
    Peace to you, too, my friend.

    ~Karen

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