Isaac is missing. We were at the park. He had better things to do than lay under a tree for a group selfie!
These days I am very much reveling in my children, in motherhood, in these glorious summer days. Earlier this week, while on a nature walk, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, we were identifying wildflowers and it suddenly hit me – I want to slow down time. Maybe even stop it? My children are 4, 6 and 8 and these days seem blissful. {Ok, well last week the older two were arguing a lot and the four year old can often be a pickle}, but overall, life is so good right now.
One of the best things that we do, the thing that most contributes to smooth days? Afternoon rest time. The four year old naps and the other two read or look at books quietly in their rooms for 1.5 hours.
Yesterday afternoon was quiet, the candle make the house smell lovely, the instrumental music floated through the air and I read:
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him…~ Mark 10:21
and I stopped there.
There was love before a word was said.
I can imagine the love first in His eyes
before ever came the gentleness in
His voice.
Compassion Pity
deep, unending, unconditional Love first!
Master, all these have I observed from my youth…~Mark 10:20
There was no name-calling. Verse 21 does not begin with God yelling, “liar!”, though it could have.
It doesn’t begin with dredging up the past. Jesus did not point out all the times that the {forgetful? ignorant?} man did fall and fail. He did not try to make him see, admit and own up to past mistakes. He didn’t argue with the man. He tried gently to make the man examine his heart and in His great wisdom, He put his finger right on the problem.
I’m not a bible scholar, I’m not even that smart. But I am a mama who fails often, loves her children and wants to emulate and learn from the Ultimate Parent.
When I read that tiny portion of scripture the other day, it reminded me that with my children (or anyone!), whatever the issue,
I need to pause and behold them with love before I even open my mouth
{Oh, that can be hard!}
I need to use care on their hearts
With discernment, I need focus on the issue at hand, guiding, not arguing
Because Love came first!
