The heart issue

My boys are active and at times, challenging. Not hyperactive but active. That teacher nature of mine has actually ruled out ADHD, autism and dyslexia for Zech. Still, the 'normal' behavior of boys can drive me crazy. They love to be kept occupied and their pet phrase "I've got nothing to do" is often heard during free time. I had no prior experience during my childhood days of behaving like Zech and Nathanael. As a mother of 2 boys, I start at ground zero. Sometimes, the things they do are simply out of my world.

Recently I find myself getting so irritated with their endless chatter and rowdiness during meals and play I fail to see their goodness. Their conversations, however interesting, are noisy to me. I know I need to adjust my tolerance for noise and I know boys need to be boys. However, it's just so hard to do that in reality! A paragraph from the book 'Shepherding A Child's Heart' came timely.

The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever; therefore, your objective in every context must be to set a biblical world-view before your children. From their earliest days, they must be taught that they are creatures made in the image of God - made for God. They must learn that they will only "find themselves" as they find Him. Your child must grow to see that real living is experienced when he stands before God and say, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you I desire nothing on earth " (Psalm 73:25)

It's the heart that matters. I've been so focused on correcting behaviour that I've forgotten totally about the heart. The need to set a biblical world-view and to mould and turn their hearts towards God are of utmost importance. Not reducing noise level and trying my best to keep them quiet wherever we are. It's so important to remember in parenting that we do not change the children's personality to what we want.

On dark and rainy days, when I can't see, I can't deny God's presence and His invisible hand working through it all. And He works in my boys' hearts every day. The little lives in His hands He will see to the end. The joy He has given me, shown daily through work such as when Zech diligently does his work without being reminded to or at play such as in Zech's invented play pretend games where he often teaches Nathanael, are pockets of blessings in my motherhood journey. And so I persevere...