She just can't seem to get it together in a lot of areas. Most days she is fussing at people and just being plain nasty at times. I know her allergies impact her mood, but it was getting out of control.
So I began to pray.
I took some time as I was moving through the day to pray for her. Then I began to specifically pray for some one on one time with her, which is usually helpful when one of my kids is having a rough patch.
One on one time isn't a quick fix to a problem, but it helps to keep the relationship strong in the midst of time periods where I feel like I am constantly disciplining a particular child. it also helps me to refresh my focus. I don't use the time to discuss any issues, unless they bring up something on their mind. And sometimes they do. I usually find the time gives me freedom to enjoy them without the interference of what is going on.
So I prayed for one on one time with this child. And if you have seen me with my four little ones, then you know it takes a miracle for one on one time randomly during a day.
And God answered that day by providing some time for her and I to play a board game for an hour without anyone else around. The other kids were either sleeping or playing out front. She was punished in her room for about 10 minutes and when she came down, she didn't want to go out.
I casually asked, "Do you want to play a game?" and she eagerly took me up on it. We sat and played Monopoly Jr. and then I taught her a solitaire game that continued to play next to each other for awhile.
Wonderfully, God provided one on one time with every single one of my children during the next 2 days. It was so sweet to watch as it unfolded.
I spent time with one of them in the neighborhood pool for 45 minutes, completely uninterrupted by friend or sibling. Another child joined me on an errand that I thought I would be running alone. And the littlest guy stayed up too late one night after a solid nap so the hubby and I got to enjoy him alone.
Precious time. Time to know them, love them, and enjoy them. Alone.
Thank you, Lord, for each of my children. Thank you for their unique gifts, personalities, talents, concerns, and desires. Thank you this week for providing me time with each of them alone. I knew how much I needed it with one of them, but You graciously took care of it for all of them. You are so good, Lord. Thank you for caring for our family.
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1 comments:
I just recently shared with one of my daughters that the one blessing of having all far away is that when I see them it's usually one on one. I find we can totally enjoy one another and there is no sister competition. Even as grown women they need to have mom all to themselves. Trust me, I pray for each daughter every day as well.
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