As parents we are often called upon to be counselors, doctors, and mediators. We forget that in our fatigue and busy lives we need to stop and pay attention to what is really going on with our children. Sometimes we become impatient, forgetting what it means to feel the pain of that first betrayal of a friend . We become short tempered and short on words because we have forgotten what it means to have our first heartbreak.
One of the greatest lessons I am learning as a wife and mother, especially of adult children, is that we can’t afford to forget. Even when the experience is unique just just one child and not all of our children, we should stop and really hear their heart. As I was recording this week’s episode on change, failure and empathy, I remember so many times forgetting to be still and listen to my children. I had too many things to do. I am still guilty of this horrible habit of being busy when I should stop and listen to them.
We have all failed our children at some point. Some are big failures and others are small issues. Whatever the case may be these failures are not reasons to become paralyzed. These failures are not reasons to become for hyper-focused on all your shortcomings that you become overwhelmed and refuse to grow. Part of life is change . Children change from babies to teens to adults. We change, being a 25 year old woman is not the same as being a 45 year old woman. We become more aware of who we are as women. Growth and change are natural.
So here’s the challenge:
Are you growing? Are you becoming better and more like Christ? Are you willing to change and grow?
These are hard questions. But they’re natural questions to ask. We have confront the part of us that doesn’t want to change and grow. We have to model the truth of growth. Growth is a very personal and individual journey. It looks different on different people.
Let me know some some of the ways you measure and seek growth.
As always, I love y’all and thanks for being a friend.
Go go here for this week’s podcast on Change, Failure and Empathy:
https://anchor.fm/lifewithchar
Life with Charlotte! 