Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~Charles R. Swindoll, The Strong Family
Have you ever had those moments where your house is completely turned upside down and suddenly someone knocks on the door?! All of a sudden your heart starts racing and you start shushing the kids and quickly pick things up as you make a path to the front door..You are NOT alone.
We had already cleaned the entire living room first thing this morning and then I had this bright idea to let the children make collages. Out came the magazines, stickers, glue, scissors, and newspapers. Within minutes my entire living room floor was covered. It was a complete disaster. I sat back and watched as my five children were giggling and chatting and most importantly making memories!
I loved watching them interact with one another and finally I had my sweet moment of uninterrupted pinterest time and coffee! That moment was short lived. Suddenly I hear a knock at the door. OH Lord please don't let it be any of my neighbors. My living room looked completely overtaken by little people.
I nervously answered the door and who do I find...our landlord! All I could think to myself was why didn't you come thirty minutes ago. I could literally feel my heartbeat pulsing and instantly started yelling at myself in my mind for allowing the kids to have paper shredded all over the living room which just so happens to be the first room you see when you open the door!
SO of course the children WANT him to see what they are up to. Per there constant pleading he finally peaks in and takes a look. My blood pressure went through the ceiling. Oii!!!
I kept repeatedly apologizing for the mess and he just laughed and told the kids they were doing a wonderful job. He had stopped in to see if Lover was available to come down and assist him with some work he was doing on one of the units. Once he left I breathed a sigh of relief! I was so worried he would stop back in once Lover got back from the store. So just as I was going to make the kids clean everything up it dawned on me: WHO CARES if the living room is a mess!!! The children were bonding and having a great time. They were making MEMORIES. WHY on earth would I want to stop them???!
I think a lot of times we as parents become so concerned about what others will think that we lose focus on the important things. I believe this mind-set is one reason why so many of us are afraid to let our kids just go a little crazy. God was showing me that sometimes it's okay to let kids be kids. Allow them that freedom to make a mess! They weren't hurting anyone and as long as they cleaned it up after they were done what difference did it make. Mommy even joined in.
We have to remind ourselves of what is most important. This is a new year and a new chance to make some positive changes in not just our lives, but that of our children. Let's look at our priorities and make sure that we include our children in them. If you are a parent, then God thought it fitting to entrust you with a precious gift, let us not take it for granted. Deliberately make time to get messy with your children. The house can always be cleaned later :)
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