My Listening Ears

When I became pregnant with my firstborn, my mother told me I'd grow with my children. She made it sound very exciting. While I knew she didn't mean in age, I didn't truly understand the meaning of her wisdom until Bridget had her feelings hurt the first time.

Yesterday afternoon I was getting the children settled in for homework time when I saw this note from her teacher: 'Some difficulty following directions. We will continue to focus on this skill.'. I knew exactly what had happened as I looked over the worksheet in question. My girl had presumed to know the work ahead and began working before listening for her teacher's guidance. Though she was done first (she was proud of this) she had to do it over again because it was incorrect. Of course the next worksheet I see says 'Much better!', it was the same sheet with a do over and she'd followed the directions given.

I can/could see my relationship with God very clearly in Bridget's correction yesterday. It easily is something I can experience with God on a daily basis if I'm not listening and waiting on Him. So many times in my life I've assumed I was helping God out when of course, I was getting in His way. But gently He's given me many chances to do it over and get it right the next time. Each time is easier for me to forgive myself, of course there's the human factor, but I know that my God loves me so much that He's willing to be patient with me and correct me as many times as necessary until we get that piece of me corrected/clean.

I now know that I had no idea what my mom meant when she said 'You'll get to grow with your children'. I'm grateful for my experiences. I don't know if I'll be able to articulate to my children the opportunities for growth they give me daily, but I pray they see that our God is one who loves us so much that He won't have us stay the way we are. All we need are ears to hear him and a heart that trusts Him.