Being humble is not an easy thing to do. Nor is it an easy thing to explain. I know the definition of the word, but in reality? It is hard to explain. There are different things in life that humble you. The biggest on is God. He’s got a way of doing things that just flatten you and it’s all you can do to hang your head and admit your smallness. Another “big” one is children. They are a bit softer then God can be, but still quite powerful. It’s humbling to hear a child’s thrist for life and their never ending questions and curiosity. We tend to get tough and not take the time to enjoy our lives the older we get. Yet you take a little child, put them in a blank, empty room and they will come up with so many questions it makes your head spin (and your tounge quite tired).
I’m the type of person who loves to live in a house that is clean, un-cluttered, with things in their proper place and calmness. But you add children to the mix and you can forgta’ ’bout it! You clean one area, jus to turn around and find it dirty again. I’ll clean the bathroom in the morning, and find muddy fingerprints all over the sink and toilet seat by noon…at least I hope it’s mud. And my floor! Whew! I have to sweep it after every meal. If I don’t, then my 2 year old will eat whatever the ants leave behind!
But God is using my children to teach me to let go of such petty things. Not that it’s bad to want to live in a tidy, clean house. Because as Christians, I think we have a tesimony in all that we do. And if we live in a sloppy, dirty, sticky house, it’s not showing Christ as He should be shown. However, if we become a drill sergant and yell and bark at our children for being children, what type of mothers are we going to be? Yes, teach your children to clean up after themselves. That is a very important skill to teach them and to inforce (plus, it will save your voice!). But don’t become so crazy about it that they are a afraid to play for fear of how you will react. Not to mention that if we always must have a perfectly clean house, what type of false front are we telling the world? No one is perfect and we shouldn’t act like we are (I’m speaking to myself here. It is very diffiucult for me to have someone come into my house and not have it clean).
I want my children to remember their childhood with fond memories. Not of me constantly telling them to “pick up this” and “pick up that”. I want my children to explore their creative possibilities and be children. To be a child doesn’t mean they are void of any responsibilities, because they are not. For instance, every day (except Sundays) Grace (our 3 year old) empties the dishwasher and puts the clean dishes on the table. Then Maacah (who is 5) puts the dirty dishes in the machine. And when a child spills something, they know that they are to get a towel and clean it up. My mother-in-law couldn’t believe her eyes when Isaac (who is 22 mths) spilled some milk on the floor and went to get a towel without me having to tell him to. She thought that was great!
I love my children and I feel so unworthy to raise them in the way God wants me to. I have so many flaws and sins in my life that I’m terrified of passing them on to my children (one of them being my “drive” for a clean, spotless house. Thankfully, which each little, beautiful, precious finger that God gives me, He’s slowly smudging it out).
“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therfore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ my rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Besides, if my children couldn’t be who they are, in all their giggles and couriosity, for fear of how I would react (thankfully the Lord has changed me enough before that could happen), I wouldn’t have woken up to this: (I knew Maacah was in the bathroom a little too long)
and this:
and this:
Now there’s a face that will keep you humble…..and giggling.