Taking Care of the Ones I Have

With a lot of my thoughts running towards Ethiopia, I have had to remind myself that I have a good chunk of work to do right in front of me. It is easy to get caught up in how to help children that have no one, and remove myself from the kids that are here. I asked one of my daughters if she felt like I thought about N more than her, she was honest and said sometimes.

I need to be more conscious of how much time I spend with my kids. They have been busy with the Wii, and with friends, and school projects so I have let my Mom time slide. I am trying to make sure that I pray for each of the kids as much as we pray for N. I am trying to be aware of what I am asking them to do, and making sure I don't ask them to do things I am not willing to do. If I ask them not to spend too much time on the computer, is it because I spend too much time on the computer? If I ask them to help their younger siblings, is it because I don't want to stop and help them? We have really been working on using our words to build others up. I realized that my kids were getting some pretty sharp tongues, they follow their Momma well.

It seems like these later winter months are a struggle sometimes. We are all feeling a bit cooped up, and cranky. I need to lead us all in an extra layer of love. Especially my middle kids. They are the ones that aren't home all day, and don't have all of the after school activities. They just have to be along for the ride most of the time. I need to remember to set some special time aside for them.

These are the everyday things that don't feel all that exceptional. I don't feel like I am making the world a better place. I just feel like I am stuck in the vanity of vanities. These are the days that I have to have faith that God is working miracles in ways that I can't see. He is preparing these little people to change the world for Him, through my little everyday services.