A Note for My Babies: Proverbs 4

My wish for my children, as inspired by the Proverb.


"Listen to your parents, babies. We don't always get it right, and we will not always completely understand how you feel or your situations, yet we have lived and we see your lives through goggles of love that you don't yet understand. Trust us that we want only what is best for you. And when we ask something of you that seems hard or makes little sense, know that we've been praying since before you were born for God to give us wisdom in how we direct you, little ones. Never before have I prayed so fervently for wisdom, but we're trusting God to provide the wisdom in raising you. No task is greater, no job more risky, than raising precious children entrusted to us by God. Don't just do what we say to make us happy. Do the right thing to learn how to do the right thing. Really learn how to show and be love. Here are a few things I'd love from you: -Love Jesus more than you love anything, including mom and dad. Loving Jesus makes all other wisdom fall in place. -Treat people kindly, without exception. That means being kind to those who are different, those who are not kind, those who have not yet gained wisdom. It means not gossiping, shooting dirty looks, or turning a cold-shoulder. -Don't follow the crowd. Be a leader. It shows confidence and strength, even when it's hard. Do not drink, obey laws, obey us as your parents, allow only Jesus to direct and control you. If you feel it's wrong, don't do it. Period. -Don't speak poorly. Your talking should bring life and light where you go. Not darkness. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. -Guard your heart. The world is out to beat it up... to rip it apart. But the world needs your permission. Listen to what you know to be right and follow it. It will be tempting to stray, but don't. There's reward at the end... follow it closely. Save yourself the trouble of having to make your way back. We love you, children, and want only what is best for you. Your successes are more valuable than our own. Your miss-footings more painful. For when you hurt, we hurt. You are our gift and our responsibility, entrusted by God to nurture, love, provide for and lead. He has given to us a love that we can only explain when you, one day, have children. Then our explanation will simply be, "see," and you'll understand. You are loved by us with a love that only our Father can provide. And because of that you will be loved inevitably, unconditionally, whole-heartedly, and from me you will be promised discipline and grace, protection and wisdom, direction and freedom. You are a very special gift in our lives, and you will not be taken for granted.
-Mom"