Given to me by my son’s 2nd grade teacher….what a sweet woman….
A Parent’s Prayer
O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent.
Teach me to understand my children,
To listen patiently to what they have to say,
And to answer all their questions kindly.
Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.
Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes
Or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me.
May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction
Or to show my power.
Let me not tempt my children to lie or steal.
And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate
By all that I say and do that honestly produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me.
And when I’m out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tounge.
May I ever be mindful that my children are children
And I should not expect of them the judgments of adults.
Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselvs
And to make decisions.
Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests
And the courage to deny them privleges
I know will do them harm.
Make me fair and just and kind and fit me, O Lord,
To be loved and respected and imitated by my children.
Amen.
What a beautiful poem… Let this be an encouragement to all of us to joyfully grasp the blessing we have in motherhood. These are our precious “glory days”!
As I read this poem…I could’t help but think that these years have been passing by so quickly. Every time I get my children’s pictures taken they look so much older. Their actions change every day- they are more mature. They amaze me with how much they know- until I realize how small they really are and need my help in almost everything they do. I started thinking of everything I am going to miss about the ages they are in..their little personalities, their likes, dislikes, sayings, facial expressions, oh the list is so long.
So, I started taking photos of my youngest…
This is the “I just got caught with a banana that I didn’t ask for …and I took it into the living room” face- I LOVE how silly she is.
This is her face when she’s “thinking” what to do next…
This is “Her”. My sweet, funny, little girl. Always happy. Always laughing. Oh, I could just kiss her through the screen!
“Im not givin you back the ‘nana Mama” (oh, it’s so hard not to laugh)
“What you sayin Mama?” This is what she looks like and what she says when I correct her…adorable.
“Come and get it Mama…” Oh is she ever ornery. But I absolutely am in so much love with this child- I can’t even stand it.
I want so much for all of these little faces and sayings to stay in my memory forever. But, I know it will be impossible to remember every little thing about each child. Ladies, let me encourage you today to take photos of every “face” your child makes that you want so badly to remember. These photos will be so precious to you in the future.
Janelle, I needed this. It has been a rough week with my kids and this brought me to my knees in tears. Thank you for sharing this.
You are so welcome…I feel the same way.
Janelle,
Thanks for posting this… what an encouragment! My week started out with Caleb in the PICU at Akron Children’s Hospital for 2 day:( Having trouble breathing….POOR Little Guy! We just got home last night! I needed this!! I take a TON of pics of my children but sometimes I get lost in the shuffle of life to stop and really listen to them and to enjoy them:( They are ONLY little ONCE! God has given me TWO Special GIFTS that I teasure each and every day!! May God Bless you and your family!
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear that…how scary! I am so glad you are all home and well. There are few things worse than having a sick child…so hard. Love to you Mollie, Janelle
Thanks for this post! I loved the prayer poem. We have such a responsibility as parents of these precious kids. I absolutely love your comments about your little girl. Your feelings resonate with me- I just love my two year old to pieces- her sayings, her interests, the things she does to make me laugh, just about everything! I appreciate so much that your attitude in this post reflects that “Children are a heritage of the Lord.” They surely are a blessing!
They sure are a blessing! I never knew this kind of love was possible…they just amaze me 🙂
Beautiful poem. Stinkin’ cute little girl. Precious mommy!!!
Love to you!
Thank you Gina!!! 😉 Love to YOU.
This is why I scrapbook. Its the only way to capture Gods blessings at any giving moment!! Love it…
I needed this right this VERY minute! Thank you, Janelle, & thank You, Lord, for this convicting reminder. I’m so sorry for my impatience & meanness toward these little people who are the greatest gifts I’ve ever been given.
Tears.
I’m in tears reading your comment…oh we have such long hard days sometimes as Mama’s, don’t we? I too am thankful for Gods grace and forgiveness.
Thank you for posting this! I really needed this! I printed it out on pretty stationery and I am going to frame it. Many Blessings to you!
Janellle
What a beautiful post. Made me cry and think about you. You gave me 3 of the most beautiful grandchildren. One of the biggest blessin in my life. You have grown up to be such a beautiful women, wife, daughter, and mother. I am so proud to have you as my daughter. I love you so much
Your Mom
I LOVE YOU too Mom! You just made ME tear up 🙂 See you soon.