As a Mama and teacher at home, I often wonder who is actually doing the "teaching sometimes"...Me OR the children?
I suppose that sometimes it's BOTH.
More often than not, I find myself learning lessons about faith, life, and various school subjects, right a long with them.
I know for certain that my children bring me closer to God, just when I need it the most. It's either done via the knees (bringing me to them) or through some other profound lesson, one way or another. I'm convinced that kids are God's special design to ensure you're never a slacker!
They arrive promptly with a NO SLACK Policy.
Did I mention keeping up with them physically?!
For the first time ever, we are up and running on bikes...minus one for the littlest. It's the first time the majority of our family (6 out of 7) have ever been able to ride bikes together. We are enjoying the heck out of our recent beautiful weather and racing with the wind:)
Lately, there's been lots to do around our house to wrap up the school year...The pinch is on here at home to finish book work...
(a rare precious brother-helping-brother moment)
*wink*
And finish a Mission project...
A bit of a race is on as we are aiming to finish the bulk of schooling here at home, simultaneously with our oldest son, who graduates from High School in 3 short weeks (don't get me started on the emotions that surround all of that)...So that we can take one final family vacation before he heads off to college...*sniff, sniff* We are heading towards Yellowstone National Park over Memorial Day weekend, God willing.
(Did I mention an RV to pack)?
All of this has had me feeling a bit overwhelmed, not to mention the flood gates of tears that are starting to swing open at the most unexpected moments...
SO then there was Mass tonight and the Gospel Reading from John 15:1-8. As it spoke about pruning us so that we may bear more fruit, I closed my eyes for a moment and prayed for God's proper pruning during this time of change...Our first child leaving home. I whispered a silent "Oh Lord, keep me close to you..."
Seconds later, Jesus proclaims in this Gospel "I am the vine, you are the branches." At those very words, spoken by the priest, our 4 year old looked up at me and loudly whispers: "No, Mommy, We Are THE SHEEP!"
(:I smiled and quietly nodded to her:)
Oh those little ears that listen...Surprise, surprise, just when we think they don't get it.
Yes, we are sheep, just like we read in the Gospel last week. How quickly I had forgotten those words from Good Shepherd Sunday, just one short week ago, yet she remembered.
Jesus tells us (J0hn:10) that He is the Good Shepherd and he will lead us and we will hear His voice.
The voice of my innocent little child pruned my branches for this day, this time, this place in life so that I may get the message...Yes, we ARE sheep. Our Shepherd hears our cry and He will bring us rest...Flesh of His flesh and Blood of his blood, poured out to give strength to His weary sheep... See what I mean, NO SLACKERS ALLOWED!
Tiffany, what a lovely post! I, too, have often found that I learn more from my children than they learn from me. I love it when they are really listening and seem to "get it" so easily and we adults always seem to make things more difficult than they need to be. No wonder Christ said "Let the little children come to me..."
ReplyDeleteAmen, Anne:)
DeleteSo true, Tiffany. Our children keep us on our spiritual toes. Just when we're faltering or feeling sorry for ourselves, our children say something that we know was planted by our Good God, to remind us of our importance to them in their faith life, and our importance of God to us and them!! Oh the emotions you must be feeling and fighting about your son leaving the nest for his new flight to the south east!! How difficult is it for mothers. We are building the cathedrals, as they say, and there are so many sacrifices we make to see that it is beautifully built! God bless your journey this summer with your family during the time of change, and sorrow and joy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gardenia. Always love your wise words of support!
DeletePraise God for child-like faith. May the Good Lord continue to shower you with the grace to live in the present moment and enjoy all His blessings.
ReplyDeletePax Christi, lena
p.s. where do you store all the bikes? my garage looks like an educational store that leased space to the bike store. LOL
You described my garage so perfectly well...It must look just like yours:) Sorry, no organized answers over here!
DeleteHi Tiffany, you've done well in teaching your children the messages in the Gospel. Love how God can reach you through your child, to pierce your heart with His love. Just beautiful. Your family vacation is a wonderful idea to bring everyone together before your oldest heads off to college. Big changes ahead for you and God is leading the way.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Noreen:) I pray for the grace to let go of the reins and remember God is leading the way!
DeleteDon't you just love how those little ears listen? They tend to catch us when we least expect it too! I have learned some of the best lessons from my children and they are some of the best teachers ever :-) It sounds like you have so much going on in the next few weeks. Early congratulations on your son's graduation. You must be SO proud! I hope you will love your trip too. It is very well deserved, mama!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the congrats, Ann-Marie. It's hard to believe that I have a child old enough to be leaving home. Wasn't I just 18 just yesterday, myself? hee hee
DeleteI read through everything and the thing that jumped out at me was...an RV to pack! Perhaps I am romanticizing the whole thing, but that sounds AWESOME! I've always wanted to do that....not just the packing part but the trip as well! :-) Please take oodles of pictures so that I can live vicariously through you!
ReplyDeleteHeather~Yes, It's going to be an adventure for sure! The kids are SO excited:) I will certainly post a few pics.
ReplyDeleteA trip to Yellowstone sounds like an awesome adventure. My dh would really like to take a trip in an RV, I'm not so sure about that. I will be anxious to hear how you like it. I started to cry reading your post, so I can't quite imagine my oldest leaving the nest. I know you will handle it with beauty and grace!
ReplyDelete