Finding grace in an unlikely place

In our house we've had our share of serious talks with the kids.  Especially over the past 18 months.  Today we had a grace conversation in the bathroom while oldest was getting ready for school.  

Hey buddy, you've been in here awhile...you ok?  

Yes, Mom.  I'm just brushing my teeth.  Can I have a hug?  Lots of hugs? 

Sure, what's up?  

Well, I've been doing lots of bad things and I just need forgiveness.

Buddy, we're just trying to teach you.  We love you.  And if we have forgotten to tell you, we do forgive you when you don't do what you're supposed to.  But guess what?  The Bible tells us that we are not good people who sometimes do bad things, does it?  

No, we are sinners.  What does that mean again?

It means that we think mostly of ourselves and want to be in charge and not let God be in charge.  And because we are sinners we can't do good without His grace, Him helping us.  And when we sin we can know that He forgives us too. Want to pray together?  

After we prayed, as we drove to school, we did a familiar morning routine, saying, "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Rejoice!"  Followed by a regular line in our house: Remember today that Mommy and Daddy love you forever and ever, no matter what. And Jesus does too. 

These moments that I have shared with each of my three kids, telling them about Jesus, are the ones I tuck away in my heart and memory to treasure forever.  These are the moments that really matter.

Birthday Boys

We just finished the birthday marathon week.  Gabe and Zach's birthdays are five days apart so it makes for a busy week.  I still haven't figured out our traditions so it can get a bit busy especially since there are two celebrations back to back.  We made pancake breakfasts for both of them and then we celebrate at dinner with a dinner of their choice and cake.  This year, I tried to make small cakes for them this year so we don't have a ridiculous amount of cake that we "have" to eat!  We were supposed to have a party for them both but it will be in a few weeks since Zach ended up with a fever on his big day that lasted through the weekend.

For whatever reason, this year, both boys were really into their birthday and the fact that they were so much older.  The morning after Gabe's birthday he said many times, out of the blue, "Oh! I'm six.  I almost forgot I was six because I'm new at it!"  And Zach kept reviewing all the things he will now do since he's a "big boy"--go potty, clean up after himself, etc.  All stuff he does anyway so I'm not sure what his definition really is.  It was also good to see Zach so confident and excited about his birthday.  He called everyone to the table for his cake--"My cake is here.  Everyone sit down!"  And before we were halfway through singing Happy Birthday, he calmly blew out the candles and was asking for the candles out so we could eat.

Gabe will be starting piano lessons now that he's six and Zach will be taking a t-ball class.  I look at them and I do wonder where the time has gone.  I love seeing them each growing up, learning new things, being such good friends and loving Jesus.  I love being their mom, sorting out the fights, teaching them, playing with them, learning more about their personalities, cuddling them when they need extra hugs or when they are sick.  Being a parent is hard work, and even though I sometimes grumble about the messes or piles of paperwork around my house, I wouldn't trade the messes for anything else.