It's that time again, not quite sure if I'm tired of hearing about it, reveling in the thought of it, or just plain glad it's said, done and over with....Back to School. Today is the boys' second day back, this year it's new schools and un-chartered territory for us....somewhat inner-city schools on top of middle school. So it's been an emotional few days. On my part anyway =}
I believe that Shanna, a contributor over at Don't Call Me Edith!, wrapped it up pretty well in her post about the expectations of the summer and the relief of parents at this time of year. I whole heartedly agree with her, and no matter how you view sending your kiddos off during the days to some one else you have to ponder the lessons of as Shanna calls it "yesteryears". And a pondering I did do. In just the two days of having my days back to being "mine" (although being a Mommy nothing is ever FULLY "mine" again) I've had the chance to breath and actually miss my children. As I've gone through the house picking up wayward socks, straightening haphazardly made beds, refolding clean laundry, and wiping toilet seats,without anyone to gripe at and insist that they redo the above mentioned chores I've reflected. Reflected on the so called nagging, and the molding of my mini-men. And I've wondered where did all the grace go?
You know Grace? Mercy? Cutting someone some Slack ?Websters dictionary defines it as:
So it makes me wonder. When they were little I showed the boys Grace over accidents, spilled milk, spats, broken toys, and all the other things that make up life with toddlers. But how much Grace do I show them now? All the forgotten chores, hidden messes, fights & bickering and all the other things that make up life with little people. Somewhere somehow am I missing the mark?
As much as all the responsibility molds and makes our children who they are so do the unspoken acts of Kindness, Mercy and Grace. Do I show them as much as I could or am I busy with all the fifty million-thousand other things I have to accomplish? Over the summer I've become extremely quick to snap, grumble, yell, scold, and shew away...cause Mommy's BUSY!
But it seems to me that children naturally grasp the concept of grace and mercy, it's after years of being shown none or very little that they themselves adopt most adults attitudes on the subject. They naturally forgive, forget, and move on. They don't dwell on the shirts you forget to wash, the cookies you didn't get time to make, or the books you can't find the time to read them. They cut you slack and show you Grace and continue loving you. I'd like to learn from them.
That's what I hope to do, to show my boys what Grace really is. I've spent years looking for it and working for it, when all I really had to do was start exercising it. Because now I do know, to GET Grace, you've got to GIVE Grace. And I think a journey to Grace is a trip worth taking, one that allows you and all those around you to blossom and be the people they were meant to be.
