My Tribe

A few things have happened lately that made me really question if I was doing things right in some parenting decisions. Because frankly, I'm making this up as I go along. Sometimes when Tom leaves for the day I wonder who thought it was a good idea to leave me in charge. Yes, I read parenting books but they are ridiculously vague. Consistent, firm, calm, blah, blah, blah, but it never seems to have exact advice applicable to my dilemma at the time.  Looking for answers, I've googled silly things, like "when do they outgrow tantrums" and so on, thinking surely someone out there can tell me something. Throw me a bone, internet!

Then I realized.....I am the only expert in this situation. I know these people. I know that when Walker goes in his car seat, he wants to buckle himself in WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, so I have to have it all set-up before he gets in. I know to leave a towel by the refridgerator because Harris will sneak out at naptime to put more ice in his cup, but he spills in the process. I know from the way Hayes shuffles his feet if he just wants a change of scenery or if he needs a nap. I can tell from the other room what noises need immediate attention and which ones will go away on their own. This is my tribe and there is no one more qualified than me to care for them.

As I was thinking about this, the phrase came to mind, "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called." Exactly.  Some of the greatest people in scripture were train wrecks but they were still used for a purpose. David and Paul were murderers, Moses was terrified of public speaking, Jeremiah thought he was too young, etc.  He blessed us with these people, with these distinct personalities, and will equip us to raise them appropriately. My confidence has been a little shaken lately and resting in this knowledge is so peaceful. These are my kids for a reason and I'll be given the tools to raise them appropriately. But not on my own strength and not without time in prayer and scripture.

And, I keep saying "I" when talking about raising them because I'm mainly talking about the times Tom is at work. He's a very hands-on dad. No diaper is too stinky and no tantrum too crazy for him to tackle.

So, I guess we'll know in 40 years how they turn out. Until then, there seems to be an ecard appropriate for every situation.

And I'm going back to a scripture I really wanted to press into this year. I screwed this up in such a big way I'm not even ready to blog about it. It was ridiculous. A situation came up and pretty much any other way but the way I handled it would have been better. So, back to basics.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Phillippians 1:27