We've noticed recently, more than ever before, just how much Saeler listens to and watches everything that we say and do. And I mean EVERYTHING! Sometimes I hear myself in her when I ask her to do something and she tells me "Hold on Mommy". Or last week, I was bending down and didn't realize that there was a cabinet opened...as I stood up, my back was pierced by the corner of the cabinet door! Immediately I said, "Agghhh! Dang it!!!". Later that day, Saeler was carrying an armful of toys from her room to the living room, but kept dropping one or two on her way. Finally, I hear her say, "Agghhh! Dang it!!!"! I quickly jumped up from what I was doing so I could address what I'd just heard come out of her mouth. With no hesitation, she reminded me that I had said the exact same thing! Major oops!!! (That may not be a big deal to some, but I just feel that some things are unbecoming of a beautiful, 4 year old little girl!).
The old saying, "Garbage in---garbage out!" has never been truer! However, the opposite is also true...if we listen to "life" then that is what will come out! If we watch things that are "life" then that is what is acted out. There is very little on TV that is appropriate for an almost 4 year old to watch...let alone a 30 year old! The previews for some movies, cause ME to look away! And the dialogue in most prime-time shows is so lewd that I'm embarrassed to admit that I've watched them!
We do our very best to distract Saeler during the movie previews, or parts of certain shows that a 4 year old should not see...but sometimes we just forget or don't think about the way we will see and hear what she takes in, very shortly! On the other hand, there is nothing that brings my heart more joy than to hear her singing Misty Edwards to herself as she goes to sleep "For I live only to see Your face..." or when we pray at night, "Father fill us with Your Spirit! " or watching her bow down during worship!
And Axylle is now starting to mimic things too! She'll smile when you smile at her. She'll stick her tongue out when she sees you do the same. She'll babble and make noise when she hears you babble to her. It's so sweet, but so reminds me just how little time we have as parents to fill them and surround them with things that bear good fruit!
I want my children to be the exception in a wicked society. I want them to bring the life of Jesus to every situation and person they encounter! I believe with all of my heart that they will have great influence during these last days! So my job and mission is to "train them up"...to show them how to have the joy of the Lord in every circumstance, to teach them that by being quick to obey what Mommy and Daddy ask equates to being quick to obey what their Heavenly Father asks, to teach them that we carry the power of life and death on our tongues, to teach them that we can be angry or upset and not sin! What a great responsibility it is being a parent!
Father, help us! Fill me with your life, wisdom and revelation, so that what my children soak up from me, is You!
