Obedience

This afternoon I took Cayla, Lucas, Katie, Larah and Sam to the library for the first gathering of the Timberland Regional Library Summer Reading Program. The kids and I enjoyed a fine program put on by Cowboy Buck, Elizabeth and Peter. There was singing and dancing, giggling and gut-busting laughter. In attendance were babies, kids of all ages, parents and grandparents. Everyone in the library seemed to be having a great time and were enthusiastic about the talent of this entertaining trio.


While I was standing in the crowd watching the show, I noticed that one of Katie's shoes was untied. I quietly leaned over to Cayla and asked her to tie it. Larah took note of what Cayla was doing for Katie and thought it would be clever to untie her shoes. (She wasn't being cute...she was being ornery.) She proceeded to untie her shoes and so I had Cayla tie them. After Cayla was done, I got down on Larah's level, made eye contact, and told her not to untie her shoes again. She did not...and she did not with a good attitude and a happy "Yes, ma'am."


After the program, a woman walked up to me that had witnessed the verbal exchange between me and and my 2-year old daughter. This kind and helpful lady (I'm being a bit sarcastic here) informed me that if I didn't want Larah to untie her shoes I should double-knot them. Yes, I did realize that double-knotting Larah shoes would help them stay tied. I also realized that if I double-knotted Larah's shoes, Larah would have missed out on an opportunity to obey her mother.


I believe in boundaries and I have seen my children thrive when those boundaries are set. I do not move the flower vase from the light stand because Larah might spill the water. I do not lock my doors during the day because she might sneak out. I do not hide my cleaning supplies because she might drink them. I get down on her level, eye-to-eye, and lovingly talk her through what is to be. Larah understands and (most of the time) she chooses to obey. If she chooses to step outside the boundaries that I have set in place, she knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, there will be consequences.


Now, I am not here to give a commentary on parenting. However, I do believe that if parents would make obedience a must, as directed by God in His Word (Col. 3:20, Eph. 6:1), many more parents would enjoy their children (and ladies at the library wouldn't see it as their duty to help). I pray that as Tim and I seek and follow God's guidance, we might always and forever enjoy our children..for "Children are a heritage from the Lord." ~ Psalm 127:3