Baby steps

Ok, so we all know that watching a baby learn to walk is exhilarating, exciting and painful. Just when you think they've got it they trip over a crumb on the kitchen floor and smack their little face on the ground. My little 14 month old man has been walking for four months but those memories are vivid. I liken the process of learning to walk to parenting. Just when I think we've got some basics covered one of my dear children will speak unkindly to the other...ok, this happens every day. I get very bogged down sometimes with the constant, "Moooooommmmm...so and so just did this." It can wear on me and make me tense and irritable. I am inclined to be that way anyway, and they're a few of my character traits that I am praying for the Lord to just up and take away from me! So far, I'm thinking he wants to do it the long way; slowly molding me more and more to look like him. Anyway, back to parenting. My dear children were having "recess" Thursday. I sent the kids out to play and went out to get them about a half hour later. No sign of them. I went into their room that faces the side yard and could hear their voices through their partially opened window. I looked out towards the front gate and could see some baby steps in progress. They were, as a team, bringing our garbage cans (the rolling cart kind) from the curb back to their places by the side of the garage. No asking from me. No asking for the second time. No initiation on my part at all. I could hear Sarah asking Ryan if the green cart needed to be taken out (yard debris.) He told her that one goes out next week (it alternates with the red recycling cart.) They put the cans in place and then Sarah saw me looking out at them. I was speechless and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It works! Teaching them the value of work and being a servant...it's working! Ok, so it worked for that moment, and I was ecstatic. I thanked them profusely for seeing a job that needed to be done and doing it so that mommy and daddy wouldn't have to. Baby steps. Just when we think they're not listening they go and bring the garbage in. I love those kids! Of course, the rest of the day progressed like many days in our house: there was some yelling, fighting and tears. But, I had that little reminder that what I'm doing each day with them is sinking in bit by bit. The Lord does the same thing with us. He looks down on us and says, "It's ok; we'll take this a day at a time. You won't be all that you desire to be today. But, be sure that my eyes are upon you and I'm molding you and making you more like me with each step." God is sooooo good; slow to anger and full of grace. Maybe someday I'll be a little more like that.