I know it seems like I do a lot of blogs about my children, especially my oldest, but please do remember that this is how I fill my days. And although our younger daughter teaches me things daily about parenting, maybe b/c M is more verbal and older, and the struggles I am facing with her I have no experience in like I do with the baby, the mini miracles stick with me a bit more.
Case in point, this last week and a rescheduled picture day for soccer. Our oldest daughter has always been touch and go when it comes to pictures. Sometimes she is great, needs no coaxing, while other times I feel like I am asking her to go and pet the nearest pit bull. I know this is common in some younger children ( take a look at my toddler picture sitting in my parents basement where my lower lip is sticking out a good distance), but it doesn't make it any less frustrating when you are negotiating just to get your child to smile for what you consider a "silly picture."
Last Tuesday happened to be one of those coaxing days. Blame it on the not going to sleep on time the last few nights, the sugar bolting thru her veins from Halloween, whatever the case she didn't want to have her picture taken at soccer practice. As I was reasoning with her and attempting to use positive discipline I was also relying on the power of prayer. I have read you are to expect great things from prayer, don't just ask for the minimum, expect greatness, and I did. As I was verbally trying to have M realize it was one picture, no biggie, I was nonverbally thanking God that he was in control and his hand was upon our oldest daughter. There were moments of doubt as the younger one and I patiently waited in the car while the oldest still tried to say she wasn't coming, but at last we were on our way and as we pulled into the soccer field parking lot she was on board and ready to be a happy little athlete for the camera man.
As we approached the field, our daughter's coach came jogging over to inform us that there would in fact be no picture today. Some may think at this point our oldest was getting the easy way out, it was just lucky, but I knew at that moment I was experiencing a miracle. Our oldest's eyes lit up and she looked at me almost shocked. All I could say was, not how lucky she was, but does she know how much she is loved by God and how blessed she is?
I think it is so important for children to know that they are loved by the most high God and that there really are no accidents and that God puts his children first just as earthly parents do. He knows our limits and recognizes our stresses, all of our stresses, even the stress of a five year-old taking a "silly picture."
