I have to remind myself often that parenting is a marathon and not a sprint. In other words, parenting is a long, time-consuming endeavor quite unlike the sprint with its quick completion and rewards.
I cannot tell you how many times in the last 15 years of raising children, I have longed for the quick reward of the sprint. A quickly achieved gold star telling me I did well – that I’m on the right track. Yet, truthfully, I won’t fully see the fruit of my mothering for many years yet. I do see wisps and tender growths, but it almost always comes years after the labor of mothering in a particular season is over.
For instance, I am happy to say that my people (23, 15, 13, 10, and 8) no longer lie on the floor and throw epic-sized temper tantrums. My husband and I no longer witness forks being flung down from high chairs. We dine in public with no concern. We no longer have issues with children suddenly stripping their clothes off while we drive around town.
Yet, these wins are definitely the fruit of past parenting seasons when I looked more than a little half-crazed and wondered if I would ever again use the bathroom in peace. I am enjoying the fruit of my labor to correct, love, and encourage little, toddler hearts.
Like the small steps in a marathon add up to a completed race, each little step you take today adds up in the life of your child. It’s a long run. It is the most rewarding experience. Becoming weary is normal and expected at times.
Are you weary today? That’s ok. You haven’t lost the race. Let the words of Galatians 6 bring you hope. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Don’t grow weary!
Keep doing the good things you are doing. Don’t give up! What you are doing matters and it’s making a difference. At just the right moment you will see your small, steady actions bear fruit.
Our little steps – those little momma-moments – they matter. Every kiss, every snuggle, every time you repeat yourself, every time you climb the stairs again, every time you sing simple Bible songs, every time you tell a bedtime story, every time you stop what you are doing to listen, every time you pray, and every obedience to the Word adds up. These little moments become the pieces of your life story and they wave over you like a banner.
Just as the strong stone fortress is made of small, individual rocks and the mighty mountain is made of tiny layers of dirt and rock, each small moment adds up to a mighty thing – the raising of a generation.
At Seeds Family Worship we are proud to help equip you in this mighty work. From albums and DVDs full of word for word scripture songs to a free online Bible Club and live shows, we create products to equip and bless your family. We want to come along side families and equip you to do this very awesome and rewarding job God has asked you to do – raise and disciple a generation to know and love God.
Written with heart by Sarah Patrick, Seeds Family Worship
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In honor of Raising Generations Today, we have a giveaway! We want to give 5 amazing prizes to 5 different winners. Each giveaway item is listed below with instructions for how to enter.
Grand Prize:
1 FULL set of Seeds Family Worship albums
Prize 2:
2 copies of our Word of God Dvd (1 for you & 1 for a friend!)
Prize 3:
3 Albums: Word of God, Seeds of Courage, & Seeds of Character
Prize 4:
A complete set of Seeds Dvds: Word of God Dvd and our newest(!!) Seeds of Courage Dvd
