Four year-old Kuya Hope and I were so excited to open the new parcel.
It was a paint-by-numbers kit of Anya Forger, the little kid spy in SpyxFamily. Anya has telephatic abilities, unbeknownst to her adoptive parents.
But this post isn’t about Anya. Let me share with you my thoughts as I tried my best to “repair” Anya.
When we opened the parcel, I told little Kuya Hope that I can only help him with the first color. He’ll have to do the rest of the painting. I’ll help him with some repairs later on after he’s done. He happily agreed.
We sort of finished number 1 the first night.
The next day, Kuya Hope and I had our simultaneous paint-by-numbers activity. He worked on Anya while I worked on Asian Princess.
Kuya Hope cheerily went thru the activity. Every now and then, I helped him to close and open little paint lids and refill his little cup of paint water. (You need a little bit of water to rinse off your brush before proceeding to the next color). For someone his age, I’m proud to report that he didn’t make a major-major spill.
Perhaps a good one hour has passed when Kuya Hope announced that he was done. He told me that I had to repair Anya. I looked at the painting.
He was able to paint correctly, according to number. There was a glob here… and there… and wow, alright, a glob there, too. I tried to see it thru my kindergarten eyes.
I asked little Kuya Hope to confirm if he enjoyed the activity. I praised his efforts and his focus. I assured him that it would be easier to repair Anya once the first coat of paint has dried up.
I remember the little one saying, “I made a mistake.” The way he said it so casually reminded me of the purity and beauty of a child’s humility. We can learn so much from little ones if we only take the time to listen.
As I repaired Anya, I pondered on these questions: How much time in our lives do we spend repairing just to show a beautiful picture? How many globs do we need to paint over or straighten out for the end result to be close to perfection? How humble are we to admit that we’ve made a mistake?
If perfectionism is your addiction, perhaps ‘Be perfect, just as your Father is perfect,” is one of your favorite Bible verses or mantra.
Yet we can never fully attain perfection this side of eternity, can we? We can only be faithful in the little things and do everything – no matter how little – with great love. Do everything as unto the LORD, not as unto men.
A life of worship is a life of peace, beauty and perfection – not in the eyes of people – but in the eyes of our loving Heavenly Father.
Perfection on this side of eternity is fickle and finicky. Perfection in God’s eyes, on the other hand, is a matter of the heart.
How’s your heart today?
Mom and son “collab” 😊 I purchased this paint-by-numbers kit from TikTokShop.
Some people brought their small children to Jesus so he could touch them. But his followers told the people to stop bringing their children to him.
When Jesus saw this, he was displeased. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them. The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children. I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God as a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them.
Note to self. God hasn’t called you to keep looking over your shoulder and see how other parents or experts are raising their kids.
While it helps to listen and glean from the wisdom of those who have “been there, done that” with exemplary results, God’s purpose for your children – and your family – is as unique as your fingerprints.
Raise your son not as a mini version of you – he isn’t, he shouldn’t be – but as God has designed him to be.
Children don’t come with operating manuals because they’re not supposed to be mechanical.
becomingBubba
Children don’t come with operating manuals because they’re not supposed to be mechanical.
Bring your son to Jesus, not just Sunday School! Pray for him, for yourself, for your family.
Pray WITH him. Oh, let him pray un-memorized prayers, prayers from his heart! Let him exercise his faith muscles.
Let him see in your life how real God is, that His love is tangible, His love comes softly, His love is gentle.
Let him experience God’s undivided attention, His listening heart, His compassion, His courage.
Let him know that God is saddened and angered by sin, that He disciplines those who are His and that the freedom He gives frees you to be good people, to do good deeds, not wayward ones.
Discipline. Disciple. Do you see it?
Whether you’re happily married or a solo parent, if you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit IS your partner in parenting. You are not alone!
Protect your children, by all means, protect them from the ways of the world and trends that bend the truth!
“Jesus IS the Way, the Truth and the Life,” is more than just a memory verse. It is foundational – for you, your children, grandchildren andgreat grandchildren.
Rest in the Truth that, indeed, you and your children are not your own. You belong to Jesus. Bring your kids to Jesus!
ancore! 