Reflection

This morning we were rushing around like crazy to get ready for school.  Since they are now taking the bus in the morning, we have to be at school by 8:30.  So, at 8:05, we were scrambling for shoes. I left Lily to put hers on and Riley and I ran in to brush the fur off of our teeth.  Fur, you know?  The stuff on your teeth after sleeping with your mouth open.  Anyway…

I needed to brush mine too, so I handed him the toothbrush and let him have at it.  Usually, he sucks the toothpaste off and is done.  But this morning he wasn’t so quick.  I looked down in the middle of my frantic brushing, and saw those dark brown eyes watching me.  Not only was he watching, but he was copying me.  Every move I made with my brush, he did the same.  It was like I was looking at my reflection in the mirror.  Wow!  How my heart melted as I thought of all the other areas in my life where this occurs.

I started to think back on my daily activities.  How Lily and Riley watch and mimic our every moves.  They are learning from us.  We are their teachers.  I stopped to think of all the times that I raised my voice and then got upset later when Lily did the same.  It’s not her fault.  She is only a reflection of me.  If I expect my kids to be respectful of others, I must always do the same. 

Then I start to think on all the times I lose my patience.  Sometimes it’s over the slightest thing.  Lord knows I should have the patience of Job after all the times Lily and Riley stop to pray for me!  “Dear Lord Please give Mommy patience right now. Amen”  Then I get upset when Riley goes ballistic over the littlest thing.  It’s not his fault.  He’s only a reflection of me.

Oh the times when the kids get frustrated.  They both do the same things with scrunched up faces and little balled fists.  Then the words “I am so mad.”  They don’t get that from me.  I don’t know where they get it from?  Ok, I fess up.  I do it!  It’s not their fault.  They’re only a reflection of me.

Then I smiled as I thought of the good things they reflect.  The love that Lily shows when Riley gets a boo boo.  She will immediately go to him and check it out.  She will kiss it and hold his hand until he stops crying.  I smile because she is a reflection of me.

I think of the times in the day when they will stop to pray.  Whether it be for a squashed bug (yes, that really happened) or mommy’s patience.  I can only smile because they are a reflection of me.

My heart melts when I think of Riley belting out a praise and worship song.  He loves to sing and give praise to God.  It hits me that he only knows them because we sing them to him.  I can only smile because he is a reflection of me.

For story time when Riley and Lily will choose a book. They come to Daddy with the Bible.  Oh my!  What  a true reflection of Ricky, who reads the Bible every night.  I can only smile because they are a reflection of him.

I am far from being perfect.  I know that.  I have many flaws that God works on every day.  With a new view from a little boy brushing his teeth this morning, God has sent me a reminder.  He reminded me that He has entrusted two little people in my care.  I am to not only teach them of His love, but I am to show them His love.  I must live my life the same way that I expect them to live theirs.  The only way to teach them kindness, patience, and the love of God is to live it! 

    Train a child in the way he should go,
       and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6