Flawed

As much as I'd love for my kids to live in a rainbow & pony filled world where everyone is nice,  wears appropriate clothing, lives the golden rule and wants nothing but the best for their future ................ I am a grown up and know sooner or later they will be exposed to the all the dark sides life has to offer.


In the meantime I'd love for them to have a positive attitude, what good does complaining do?


Lately I've heard way too many rumblings of how evil this world we live in is.  Just today in a Bible study class an elderly man went on and on about the woes of today.  He wasn't wrong, but it made me feel so protective of this world that my kids are barely entering.  So do we give up & throw in the towel?  How would we even do that anyway?  "Kids don't even try because this world is crap". 

Instead of complaining at how corrupt our government is, how promiscuous teens can be, how schools are failing, how kids spend all their time playing video games and the filth that's on T.V., be a part of the solution.


Parenting is WAY harder than I ever imagined.  But I can't think of anything I'd rather do than read with the kids, or watch them play at the park, or help them figure out their "impossible" homework, or make a mess with them in the kitchen because they are "definitely old enough to crack eggs by themselves".


It's exhausting and demanding.  Thankless and tiring.  Mind boggling and expensive.


I've for sure done my fair share of complaining.   I complain that the kids clothes are on the floor ........ again.  I complain that the door is left open and flies are all over the house ...... again.  I complain that they put clean clothes in the hamper, haven't taken the dog on the walk, won't be nice to their brother/sister, insist on leaving every light in the house on,  won't come when called, have lost their shoes for the millionth time.  Sadly enough I could go on and on.


My kids may need work.  But the world?  This world is great!  I will not turn them against this time that they live.  I will encourage them to work hard and make a difference.  To be honest and have integrity.  To set goals and strive to accomplish them.  To see the good in people.  To beautify the earth one piece of trash at a time.  To read.  Always read.  To pray and believe.  To persevere and never give up.  And to have faith that their actions alone will make a big difference.


Most of all I will teach them of God's love for them.  That he created this earth for them.  That of course this world, this time, has flaws.  Huge flaws.  But even with all it's flaws they can embrace life and be positive. 


I can be an example to them.  I try so hard to be a wonderful mother.  Sometimes I do great and other times I fail miserably.  But I love them.  With everything I have I love those three.

This morning I told Emry to sign my name to a paper that she would get later that day that had to be turned in.


I am just representing how I myself have flaws, big flaws, but she can still love and embrace me.  Either that or I am sending her down a road to a life of crime and deceit.

(edited to add:  after school Emry told me she didn't turn in the permission slip "I didn't feel good about forging your name" she said.  I felt really bad ....... and proud)