The Gift of Words

The Husband, a brand new title that he was wearing well, carefully packed a lunch for his "new" 5 year old daughter.  Knowing that the precious opportunities to create a forever bond with her would pass quickly, he secretly began tucking notes into her lunch box.  The smiling, toothless 5 year old melted his heart when she shared with him the love and fun of the notes she found everyday.

In the coming years, wife would suffer through some dark times.  Husband saw an opportunity to encourage her, so the notes began each day for her as well.  Simple lines, a sentence or two, of love and encouragement, oft times penciled on napkins or scrap paper.  Wife was blessed and her heart grew bigger for the Husband through this small gift of himself left behind each day to keep her company.

Year 14 of this marriage will soon come to a close, and the notes continue to find their way to the kitchen counter every day.  No longer are they found on disposable objects, but now grace the pages of a notebook, a new page to turn daily, for wife to remember always, for generations to witness the great love between this wife and husband.

The 5 year old has turned 20, but still the notes sporadically make their way to her college dorm, the bonding continues, as does the love.

Words, simple, true and life encouraging.  Who can you share your words with today?

Communication

I just had a lovely conversation with my 9 year old, K.  Sometimes I have to stop everything and just talk.  (not always good at the stop everything part!) She has always been a horrible sleeper, and I mean since she was a baby, and this week has been no exception. It has really caught up with her.  Most of you are moms or parents, so you know what I mean, it has been ugly.  And I do mean U.G.L.Y.

So as she was having a meltdown in her room before bed, I just took her in my arms and started goofing off with her.  She was very receptive to that and I got enough smiles to calm her down so we could talk.

Her self-esteem has taken a hit lately with some friends at school.  She is questioning herself, and I know she feels scared. She has also been taking it out on her 8 year old sister.   I reassured her with God's word and who she is in Christ.  It amazes me that I am talking to my 9 year old about her sinful nature and her Christ-likeness.   It boggles my mind.  I didn't have a conversation about that until I was in my 20s!

After talking with some other parents lately, I have realized that not everyone is comfortable talking about these kinds of issues with their kids.  But can I encourage you? 

If we want our kids to talk to us when they are teenagers, we have to talk to them NOW!!  An open line of communication and a trust relationship must be established early with our kids.  Don't get me wrong, I've messed up in this area plenty.  But I am trying to do better.  I don't always make myself available to talk.

How about you?  What kind of communication do you have at home?  Have you tried anything you'd like to share with us?