As a parent I feel like my kids are never listening. The joke is “no one hears me until I yell” or offer a bribe. And then, every now and then they surprise me.
Yesterday I needed to go to Dollar Tree and planned to go with my mama so we could tag team zone with the kids. Most of y’all know that we have four kids from aged two to seven.
However, as the kids and I got out of the car and stood waiting on my mom to gather her purse from the car the skies opened. Rain pummeled us as we stood for a split second before sprinting across the street to the shelter of the store. My mama, smartly, decided to get back in the car. As a result of the rush I left my quarter in the car (this Dollar Tree requires quarters to rent a shopping cart or buggy). Once inside, while the kids shook off as much of the water as they could, I vigourously searched for a quarter. I checked my pockets, the bottom of my purse, and even tried to find a compassionate soul. I needed to put my youngest two in the buggy.
Off to the side I saw a staff cart. It held a few boxes of items the staff needed to stock. I walked my kids over and explained to them, out loud, that I intended to borrow the cart. I removed the boxes and put them on the closed conveyor belt next to me (also being used for storage).
As I am lifted my youngest, to put her in the cart, my oldest says to me (or maybe not to me now that I think about it). “Thank you God, for providing this cart that we needed.”
Y’all, I froze for a full second. I was rushed and wet and running late to get home to start dinner. My mind was in 300 places at once and my daughter brought me back to the moment, with her recognition of Jesus right there. I thanked her for reminding me and I praised her for recognizing God’s provision in our time of need. She saw God and I wasn’t even looking. She saw God and she then she pointed Him out to me.
A lot of the times when I’m talking to my kids I feel like I’m speaking to a brick wall, but I am grateful that somehow some things sink in. I’m also so grateful when God shows me the beauty of my life, in the moment, so I can give thanks.
Parenting will not always feel like a win. At the same time, you never know when the truth you share, will be a truth your kids will go back to. Keep sharing, keep remind them of God’s Word, and giving your kids something to go back to. Our kids are listening.
-Lee
As an aside, I did return the cart, to the lane where I found it, leaving the quarter inside, and put the boxes I removed back in.