Last March I attended a Hearts at Home conference and loved every minute of it. I'm hoping that schedules work out for me to attend again next March. I enjoyed listening to great speakers and something one of them said struck a huge chord in me and I've been constantly reminded of this and so I thought I'd share.
From the moment we find out we're expecting, we pray for healthy ordinary children. An ordinary pregnancy, an ordinary birth, and an ordinary child. The moment that child is born and we count the 10 fingers and 10 toes and find out our child is ordinary, we determine ordinary is not enough. We want "our" child to be extraordinary. The star athlete. The academic. The Popular child. The graceful dancer. The overacheiver. And the list goes on.
So what's wrong with asking for extraordinary? Nothing really as long as you don't forget the ordinary. I know that there will always be someone more beautiful than my children (however, don't tell me if you find them!), there will always be someone smarter, and more talented. I want my children to find themselves okay with being ordinary. I wish I was a writer so I could convey exactly what I feel. But you'll have to make due with my stumblings. There are so many things I want my children to delight in and you know what? They're ordinary things. These are some ordinary things that I've found such delight in.
A sonogram and seeing all three sucking their thumb and little button noses.
My babies first cries.
Feeding my babies.
First steps.
First coos.
First time I heard Mama and I Love You.
Holding my children's small hands in mine while we walk.
Hearing my children's voices sing and praise God.
Hearing my children pray each day.
Little feet kicking me in my bed.
Sending my oldest off to school for the first time.
Little kiddos helping me cook and set the table.
Hearing my children giggle in the bathtub.
My children telling me how much they love church and their teachers.
My children coloring pages and pages each day. The fridge is FULL.
The concern and caring that my children show to me when I cry. (which if you know me is often)
The love my children have for other people.
I have so many more "ordinary" moments in the future! I can't wait!
The Magnificat
1 year ago
9 comments:
Loving this!!..So true how ordinary things to others can be so extraordinary to our hearts!! I want to go SO bad to this coming Hearts at Home conference, never been but I've heard from several that it's fantastic!!
I too LOVE the mundane! I am learning that with every stage of parenting comes a new list of the simple things! YAY!
Thank you so much for this post. What a great reminder at the beginning of this school year.
Ashley, It's March 14 and 15th. I'll give you all the info, but plan on coming and you can stay with us!!
What a great post - thanks for sharing!
How true, how true! And how wonderful for you to realize this when your children are young. Seems like too many moms and dads focus too much on wanting their children to grow up so they can do "more" - whatever that may be. Enjoy each stage - each "ordinary" event. You won't regret it!
I loved this post, thank you so much for sharing and reminding me of everyday greatness!!
This is a beautiful post! I think we come face to face with God in the 'ordinary'.
Praise God for ordinary! It makes for some great extraordinary memories!!
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