Pearls

I’ve been thinking a lot about parenting lately and about parents. My parents each, in their un-preachy ways, gave me pearls of wisdom about parenting that I repeat to myself, over and over.

My mother, two months before she died, told me that as she prayed for my family God impressed on her that He had given my husband and me our four children because we were the best parents possible for them. She said He had given them to us because we could give them what they needed.

At the time, I wasn’t feeling like the best parent for anyone. Not even our dog. Not even our twin cats, one of which—at about that time—I had relinquished (temporarily, it turned out) to my sister. I didn’t feel like I was giving anyone what they needed.

Mom repeated herself, “You are the best parents possible for all of your children.”

When I was feeling like a horrible mom, I would repeat her words and pray. “God, you chose us to parent these children. Thank you for them. Please show us what to do.”

But things didn’t get any better as far as parenting, in fact they got worse. Last December our boys moved out. Our youngest son was only 16. It was hard, really hard, and I hesitated telling my Dad, not wanting to worry him.

He didn’t worry. He simply asked me, “Do they know you love them?”

“Yes,” I said, hoping it was true, hoping that our boys believed our love.

“That’s what matters. Just make sure they know you love them, every day.” That was all he said.

We welcomed our boys back home the end of March. Every day I see God working in them, in our girls, and in us. Growing up is hard work. So is parenting. But every day I am thankful for my four children and for my wise parents.

Here's a photo of my parents with their four children way back in 1964. I'm the youngest.