God's work in a 5-year old
Eating lunch yesterday, Vicki, Mattie, and me (or is it "I"?) were talking about all of the backyard action we were witnessing. Leaves falling...squirrels going crazy chasing each other...robins seemingly having a town hall meeting with the entire flock in attendance...it was pretty fun. Vicki remembered something that happened last week while we were in Richmond and after hearing it, I thought it would be fun to share.
Evidently, one morning Vicki was walking Matthew to class. He was looking around, as usual, taking in all of the sites of the lake, playground, activity of all of the other missionary families around, and whatever else his little 5-year old mind grabbed on to. He stopped and looked up at his mom and says, "I think we should stop and thank God for this beautiful day He gave us."
Immediately upon hearing this, I went back to so many afternoons of picking the little guy up at preschool in Poznan. We would walk home through the playground and down a few streets to our house, oftentimes talking about all of the things that we have around us, all for which we can thank God...trees, grass, clouds, flowers, playgrounds, trams, etc. We did this with him, wanting to foster a true sense of thankfulness to God for the blessings we have from Him. Further, to see all of those normal things as blessings.
Trust me, this isn't one of those "check out my parenting skillz" entries...makes me laugh just thinking that someone might think that. Instead, I'm just incredibly thankful to God myself for what He's already doing in Mattie's life (not even mentioning the spiritual development of the other two kiddos). And to be a part of that is awesome. It's so fulfilling and at the same time challenging, knowing how crucial it is to do everything we can to lead our kids toward Christ.
Evidently, one morning Vicki was walking Matthew to class. He was looking around, as usual, taking in all of the sites of the lake, playground, activity of all of the other missionary families around, and whatever else his little 5-year old mind grabbed on to. He stopped and looked up at his mom and says, "I think we should stop and thank God for this beautiful day He gave us."
Immediately upon hearing this, I went back to so many afternoons of picking the little guy up at preschool in Poznan. We would walk home through the playground and down a few streets to our house, oftentimes talking about all of the things that we have around us, all for which we can thank God...trees, grass, clouds, flowers, playgrounds, trams, etc. We did this with him, wanting to foster a true sense of thankfulness to God for the blessings we have from Him. Further, to see all of those normal things as blessings.
Trust me, this isn't one of those "check out my parenting skillz" entries...makes me laugh just thinking that someone might think that. Instead, I'm just incredibly thankful to God myself for what He's already doing in Mattie's life (not even mentioning the spiritual development of the other two kiddos). And to be a part of that is awesome. It's so fulfilling and at the same time challenging, knowing how crucial it is to do everything we can to lead our kids toward Christ.
posted by Michael Shattuck at
6:35 AM
3 Comments:
Oh, what joy it was seeing Mattie last week and getting such great hugs everytime I saw him in the preschool. Make sure he knows how much Ms. Marlene loves and misses him!
Marlene
P.S. Can you give me your mailing address, I'd love to mail him a card.
awesome!! so good to hear. tell the kids i say hi, i miss you guys... and them and even the doggies too :) vickie, write me and email and let me know what's up with you guys or if you have time to chat! going to germany over the long 'dead people' weekend... reminds me of our trips to berlin! this time we're heading south to bavaria on a castle tour!
I'm glad you got to see our little guy. He had a great time there!
Our stas address is: 1275 Vero Lane, Ellisville, MO 63011.
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