Trophies or Teachers?

Each day at nap time, I try to find a few minutes to go up to my room to read my Bible. I am currently reading the MOMS Devotional Bible, each day it gives you a devotional and some reading to go along with it. Earlier this week as I was reading through my daily devotional for the day I came across something that has stuck with me all week. I thought I would share it.

"Do you view your children as trophies or teachers? If we view our children as trophies, we will put their personalities and achievements atop our mantels, step back and take credit for who and what they have become. We will be inclined to pressure our children to perform in such a way that will increase their value as trophies- we will receive more praise.
If we view our children as teachers, we will submit ourselves to the lessons we learn from God at their hands. Lessons of patience. Of creative problem-solving. Of accountability. What matters in the end is that our children grow in their love for God and that they praise him with their lives. In this way, they become our teachers, drawing us closer to God and his ways as well.
So what is it for you? Are your children your trophies or are they your teachers?"

I don't know about you, but this totally hit home with me. I have been reflecting on all the things that my kids are teaching me each day. Sometimes it is Jaclyn saying, "Mommy, pray" before we eat our dinner. Or Jaeden relaying the bible story he remembers from his bedtime CD. I am going to do my best to open my eyes to all the little lessons I can learn from my family. I hope you will do the same.
This is Jaeden and Jaclyn on a sculpture outside Central Park. We told them to "say cheese" for their picture. Jaeden responded by yelling at the top of his lungs "I LOVE JESUS!" . Of course, Jaclyn followed in her little voice as well. At that moment Jeremy and I were so proud of the kids. And what a lesson!


"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, will never enter it."
Luke 18:16-17