Valentine's Day...a little late

I have not always made a very big deal out of Valentine's Day. Most years, Patrick and I might go out to eat and grab a little happy for the girls. But this year, I realized I kinda love V-day. I couldn't wait to do something really special for my family. Why not take a day and go above and beyond to show some extra love? So...roll forward to February 14th. I was sick. Like really sick. I had the stomach bug from you-know-where, and then I passed it on to my hubby (you know, because I love to share:) Anyway, my plans for Valentine's day changed and got moved back a little. And oh...how thankful I am that they did. So on Tuesday, I set up the table while the girls were napping, and Patrick and I surprised them when they woke up. I made cupcakes, and we bought them little happies and cards. It really wasn't a big deal (see picture above), but they loved it nonetheless. Well, we were sitting around eating our cupcakes when my little Lily's face just fell. She looked broken-hearted. I asked her what was wrong. She said... "Oh mommy, thank you for all of this. I am so sorry I was disobedient today. It was a sin. Will you forgive me?" Melt my heart. Earlier, something had happened that I had already handled with her. She was, as she said, disobedient. But I knew at the moment when were "dealing" with it, she was not repentful. She hated to be disciplined. But the act itself, she did not hate. Usually, Lily is one to feel sorrow over her areas of disobedience. But that day, it just didn't come. And I knew I had done all I could. So fast forward to several hours later when she looked at me with those big, brown eyes and truly felt geniuine remorse. It reminded me of Romans 2:4 " or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" Isn't it so true when we think about the unmerited, gracious kindness of our Father, our hearts truly break over our sin? I love how just a little act of kindness towards my daughter brought about the sorrow over her disobedience. I love that God fully equips me to teach, train, and cultivate the hearts of my children, but it is Him alone that changes them!! The Holy Spirit is working even when I might not see it. It was nothing I did that made Lily realize she was wrong. That was totally the work of God on her little heart. He was just using me in the process. A lady at my church recently said at a christmas party that we (parents) are like John the Baptist. We are just preparing the way for Christ in our children. I loved that illustration. And I love that God gives us an instruction manual on how to do just that. Deuteronomy 6: 5-7 You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." So basically I need to be constantly talking and teaching and "preparing the way." It's such an awesome and heavy responsibility. And I feel as though I fail miserably at times. But I am so thankful that 1) His mercies are new every morning, and each day I can wake up and go at it again. 2) I am teaching, talking, and showing them the way, but it is God who is doing the real work on their hearts. Praise the Lord!



Besides, look at these little faces! Aren't they more than worth the effort? :) Oh...how God is so good to me!