It looks like a tornado just went through our house.
The floor is scattered from one corner to the other with building blocks and little cars and tiny plastic figures. I told my son yesterday that our house is a perpetual mess lately. And he looks at me and says, “Out with it, Mom, you mean it’s a pigpen.”
And I feel like my week has been a little bit like that (not the pigpen, the tornado) as we’ve been trying to launch our new venture. We’ve been thinking about making and selling these incredible wooden planks for a while, and on the spur of the moment decided to get things together in time for Christmas (because these really are the best Christmas gift we’ve ever given). So there’s been a frenzy of website work, photo-taking, shipping calculating, and answering questions.
The boys have been really great about it and not even complained when dinner was burnt for the 3rd (or was it 4th time). Or when I pulled them away from school to babysit or build something really neat for a photo for our new webpage. Well, I’ll be honest, what boy would complain about that?
Well, all this frenzy has caused me to really think about some things.
Like how sometimes the only difference between a dream and reality is courage. The courage to jump into something with both feet, give it all you have, and leave the outcome to God.
Like how important it is to nurture creativity in the lives of our children. We are all created in God’s image and He is the Great Creator. Children are born naturally curious with a desire to explore and create, but so often the environment that we surround them with stifles that creativity.
So let’s give our children the freedom to play, and explore, and make messes. Let’s not schedule the creativity right out of them. (Don’t get me wrong, I love making schedules. It’s sticking to them that’s the problem.)
Let’s not take the easy way out with more screen time. (I know, it’s a temptation sometimes.)
And let’s not forget the most important thing of all- prayer.
God has a plan for them. He has given them unique gifts and interests for a purpose.
I look at my thoughtful, studious oldest son; my inventive, hands-on second son; my observant, detail-oriented third born; my math-loving youngest son; and at my little adventurous daughter, and I wonder what great plans God has for them.
And I pray that we, as parents, could recognize their interests and encourage them in them, and yet realize that God is not limited by our mistakes.
I pray that they would use those gifts for God’s glory. That they could be the next generations strong leaders, inventive missionaries, gifted writers, skilled doctors, devoted fathers and husbands, and supportive wives and mothers that this world so badly needs.
And I pray that God would give them the courage to dream big and pursue whatever path He has in store for them. For I know God has raised up each one of them, as he raised up Esther, “for such a time as this.”
Sharing at
Collecting Moments, 3-D Lessons for Life, Creative Home Keeper, Grace and Truth, The Deliberate Mom, Missional Women, Maryandering Creatively and Reading List
I agree with you we have scheduled the life and spontaneity out of our children’s lives. I don’t remember having play dates when I was growing up nor having 50 activities to go to after school. Why can’t children be children. They should not be mimicing our crazy schedules.Bravo for you on having the courage to buck the trends.
Thanks for the encouragement. It is really hard to stay balanced in this busy world we live in.
Unfortunately screen time is the “easy way out” but when we give our children opportunities to be creative, so many wonderful things happen!
I just love the moments you captured here.
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
And thank you so much, Jennifer, for hosting.
And may your weekend be blessed!
I love this, thank you!
You’re so welcome, Miriam!
When my children were little I remember standing outside of their bedroom while they slept, praying for them, confessing my shortcomings. God is faithful! Blessings as you nurture family.
Yes, He is, and I’m so glad God can work in my children’s lives despite my shortcomings, because I know I fail often.
I love this post and this reminder of the importance of creativity in children! God has placed so many unique dreams, thoughts, and ideas into children that they need to have the chance to explore! As a teacher, I so often see kids with so much potential, but who don’t have that opportunity, and it just breaks my heart…
That is so true! Children are all so different and uniquely gifted. I’m sure you make a great teacher and are a positive influence in these kids lives.
I love this. The last couple of weeks I’ve been more intentional about limiting screen time, and my girls have been forced to entertain themselves. I’m enjoying watching them play and draw more. Thanks for sharing at the #LearningKid linkup.
Thanks so much for hosting!
I love the Chesterton quote at the top of your blog! “Like how important it is to nurture creativity in the lives of our children. We are all created in God’s image and He is the Great Creator. Children are born naturally curious with a desire to explore and create, but so often the environment that we surround them with stifles that creativity.” I totally agree with you here and I remember those tornadoes rushing through the house while my kids worked on various creations. My house was not always neat, but my kids had fun and learned a lot through their creativity. I’ve visiting from Spiritual Sundays.
Hi Gayl,
I’ve loved that quote for years. To me it means that I recognize everything good in my life- my husband, children, salvation, all that’s beautiful in the world- is a gift that I’m undeserving of.
Thanks for stopping by!
Creativity creates lots of messes in our house too! Those planks look like something my kids would love – going to check out your new website. Visiting from Literacy Musing Monday.
Hi Abi, thanks so much for stopping by!
love this post! so true and honest.
i also love these planks – i need to go check them out to see if they are affordable for us right now. i KNOW my boys would love them.
thanks for linking up with Grace & Truth! 🙂
Jenn
Hi Jenn,
I see you’re blessed with boys, too. 🙂
The planks are a bit expensive, but they are definitely the cheapest toy per hour spent with them in this house.
Suzanna