The other day I was sitting in the house and Preston, my 9 year old, came in and asked if he could put a soccer net together. I told him yes and I let him know that the instructions were in the box and if he needed help to let me know. I kept an eye on him and watched him work and work at putting the frame together. He never even looked at the instructions, he figured out all on his own.Then I heard him rounding his brothers and sister for help. He amazed me at the way he was directing and leading his younger siblings, and the way they were following. I decided I needed to grab my camera and get pictures of the four working together.
Preston has always amazed me on the way he is interested in how things work. He can create so many things, and he is very resourceful. Even when he was very young, pre-walking, I remember him studying the hinges of a door. I can see so many areas where God could use these gifts that He has instilled in Preston, anything with engineering or architecture.
He is also stepping into being a leader. Working with his brothers and sister showed some of that leadership, but even a church with his friends he is stepping up and deciding to do what is right. One of the teachers in our children's ministry shared with me on how proud she was of him when there were several boys getting ready to fight and Preston was in the middle of them trying to calm them down.
It is easy to lose focus when you are in the midst of life and you have the fighting, disobedience, and bad attitudes surrounding you. I have to remember to look at the good, to catch the kids doing what is right and to praise them for it. I am very proud of Preston and the way he is with others and how serious he is taking his decision to follow Christ. He is definitely on the right path and I know God's blessing are going to surround him because of his decisions that he is making now.
Note to self: I am very blessed with all four of my kids! Enjoy them while I still have them.
4 comments:
Oh Julie, you are so right-so often I get caught up in the everyday stresses of life and of being a parent, that unfortunately, I forget just what a blessing Tanner is. She's healthy, she's got a huge heart of gold, she loves Jesus with all her heart...she really is an all around good kid.
I love how Preston worked with the other kids and how they figured everything out on their own, without asking for help. That's really awesome. What bright, great kids.
Enjoy your Saturday!
I get teary when I hear the quote: the fingerprints on the wall get higher and higher until one day they are all gone.
I remember being so frstrated at trying to keep walls and glass doors clean, but those are good days. In a few fast years, you wish for them.
Then you have grandkids and the fingerprints come back! :)
Preston is not in my "class", but yesterday during the large group time he asked "Could someone go a whole day and not sin?". I told him I really didn't think so but he could try and let us know how it went. Ok, maybe not very profound a question, but from a child? He really is thinking about his relationship with Christ and how he can do what is right.
Julie - I see so much leadership potential in Preston too! It's going to be amazing to watch what God has in store for him! I love our kids so much! And I love you even more hun! Yours forever, - Jeff
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