When You Go into a Ditch Say a Prayer

Several years ago (27 to be exact), we were traveling along snowy roads in order to spend Christmas with family. As the snowfall became heavier and heavier, the roads became slicker and slicker. So much so, that when the car in front of us started sliding, we had no choice but to try to avoid hitting them. When my husband began pumping the brakes, we also slid...right into the ditch.

Seconds after we stopped, our 3 year old son began to sing (to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It") "If you go into the ditch say a prayer....".

Thankfully we were able to drive right out and go on our way. There wasn't even a scratch on the car.
No, this isn't a lesson in defensive driving. My purpose in sharing this memory with you is to impress upon you as parents and grandparents how important it is to LIVE Jesus Christ; making your faith who you are not just something you do. As parents and grandparents we need to raise our little ones up to instinctively go to the Savior first of all in any and all situations.

How do you do that? Glad you asked. You teach by example. Let your light shine before them to bring glory to our Father in heaven.

I'd like to say that by doing so you have the assurance your children will follow suit. It is every Godly parent's hope and prayer that they do, but there will come a time when they will choose for themselves who they will serve. If they choose to serve the Lord, give thanks! If, however, they wander away, consider this time their time of 'sliding into the ditch'. And in those times, follow 3 year-old Zach's advice and say a prayer. Say lots of prayers.

"Mirror Check" Parenting

Tucked into one of the interior pockets of a purse my daughter gave me for my birthday one year, was a note. In the note she told me she loved me and was thankful for our relationship and that I was her mom. While it was nice to read these words, the words that left the greatest impression were the following...

"Mom, I am so proud of you. I don't know who you see when you look in the mirror, but when I look at you I see a woman who is strong, smart, beautiful and who loves God and her family with her whole heart. You are such an example to me and I hope that someday I will be just like you."

Wow! Did she really see all that? I was both happy and humbled. I was happy because she was seeing in me the mom and woman I wanted to be. Unfortunately for my kids I don't always look like that. I've had my share of 'bad hair days' as a mom and unfortunately for me, they've seen those 'bad hair days'. But fortunately for all of us, we've gotten through them. But we wouldn't have if I didn't take the time (even still) to do those 'mirror checks'--even the ones when I know I'm not looking so good.

So what about you? Do you think about what your children see when they look at you? You should, because I'm here to tell you that they are looking even when/if you don't think they are. And here's another thing you need to know--their vision is 20/20 when it comes to seeing the real you. They see deep down into your real self. They know the difference between who you are at home and who you are in public. They know your phone voice vs. your real voice. They know if you parent by example or are the do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do kind of parent.

Oh, and one more thing...your children don't stop looking once they leave home. In fact, they usually start looking closer and more intently once they leave home for college and to strike out on their own. So take a few minutes to stand in front of the mirror (the kind that allows you to see yourself from the inside out) and take a good, honest look. Do you like what your kids are seeing? If so, great! If not, it's never too late to do those 'touch ups'.

Love,
Momma D
                          Copyright 2020 Darla Noble. No part of this can be copied or used without permission from the author. 

                                                                                                                  



Look at All That Christmas

All That Christmas

When my granddaughter, Mackenzie, was about 17 months old, we were waiting in the drive-thru line at the bank. Sitting in her car seat, Mackenzie spied the window of a gift/interior decorating shop across the street from where we were. The window was filled with Christmas decor; an elegantly decorated tree, Santa, wreathes...you name it, it was there. There was even a mock fireplace with stockings all hung with care. 

Mackenzie, who had been chattering away (as usual) stopped in mid-sentence, took a deep breath and said in a voice filled with awe and wonder..."Nanna, just look at that. Just look at all that Christmas."

I will  never forget the softness and sweetness of those words and the look on her sweet little face. She was totally captivated. I'm getting all teary-eyed just thinking about it.

I'm sure a lot of you have memories of moments like that, as well. But I want to remind you that Christmas isn't the only time we parents (and grandparents) should be filling our children's lives with beauty and a sense of wonder.  

As parents, it should be our heart's desire to fill our children's lives with awe and wonder every single day. We should strive daily to keep their lives wise but innocent. Don't allow their childhood to become tainted with fears, anger, emotional pain and heartache. A child shouldn't have to worry about what is waiting for them at home or whether or not you have their back at school. They shouldn't have to worry about bullies and taunting at home or anywhere else. They need to know that they are loved and protected; treated with as more TLC than any glass bulb hung on a Christmas tree ever would be. 

Love,

Momma D