It recently dawned on me that I have only a little over five hours each day with my youngest daughter. Fifty minutes before she catches the bus to school and four hours after she is dropped off at 4:17 p.m.. Might I add most mornings find me too ill to make it out of bed until much later, leaving very limited time to spend with her and most days I have even less with my senior and freshman.
This revelation is indeed reality for most parents with exception to the minority who have chosen to home school theirs. Daily we send our beloved out into the ever so darkening world, now seen within the halls of their schools. Infiltrating even into the costly, highly regarded private ones. Such, that we did not see in our days of learning. I speak of the ever growing hatred, violence, bullying of every kind, fear of standing for what they believe in; unto even the possibility of death.
So how do we help our children face the daily walls of injustice? How will I? The word is Invest. Every chance I get, with each breath I take, I will pour into my children all that I am and all that He has created me to be. To extend Grace when needed. To rejoice in their triumphs, no matter how big nor small. To listen to what they have to say, even in the midst of their silence. To believe in who they are and to respect in whom they hope to become. To share in their hopes and dreams. To continue our family dinners. To drench them in all the love that I hold deep within my heart for them. To exemplify daily, even in my many shortcomings the strength I find in prayer and forgiveness from the One I hold so dear. To instruct them in the ways of the Lord found within His Word.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is now law....Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.~Galatians 5:22-23;26
