Sunday, April 10, 2011

Bearing fruit in due season

This post is part of The Christian Home, an online magazine hosted by Mrs. White at The Legacy of Home. Please visit her site to read more of The Christian Home issue #10.


Here in the Northeast, when we buy fruit, usually it is not ready. I am forever on a quest to buy avocados at their perfect ripeness. It's a challenge to me.

It reminded me of my parenting ten years ago. I was trying to pick ripe, perfect, adult-acting children, when they were basically children. I don't know why I did this. I can't plead ignorance, I have a degree in early childhood education. I should have somewhat of an understanding of how a typical five year-old acts. I was trying to pick the fruit too early. Nothing is so dissatisfying as biting into an unripe cantaloupe. Blech. That's just what I was doing. I was becoming bitter that my children were not angelic beings and ceasing to experience the joy of being their mom.

When my middle sons were about 4 and 5 years old, going out in public was such an ordeal. I was continually plagued with bickering, disobedience and always stressed out. I constantly worried about my kids. I thought hopeless thoughts. I was discouraged. I had a vision, if they were this misbehaved now, what would they be like as teenagers? I had a serious problem of unbelief.

When buying a mango. I'm still learning, I have to give it a gentle squeeze. They can be very unpredictable. Usually, if I can wait a few days, the mango is delicious. My patience means, less eating of bitter things.

I've entered in that season and it's a blessing. Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised. I had to leave the boys alone, again. I ended up staying out longer than expected. The home was intact, there were no calamities or injuries. Things were smooth. Little Guy was well-behaved.

For that I am grateful.

It's the season now for ripe fruit.

I'm seeing it and it's pleasant. My middle guys are now 13 and 15. I enjoy their company. I'm at peace when their friends are over. They act their age. They still are boys, but they have matured. When we are out they no longer are climbing under the clothes racks in stores. The tables have turned, I tend to embarrass them, now.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9

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6 comments:

Lynn Pitts said...

loved your post.. I am stopping by from the TOS Blog Walk and look forward to reading more.. :)

laughinglioness.lisa@gmail.com said...

Excellent, Terri! I've been guilty of the same thing. Wise words!

Pebblekeeper ~ Angie said...

Oh for the joy of payback of embarrasing them now, wait - was that not the point of the story? ha . I too lost track when they were so tiny - and read Sheparding a Child's Heart - and got nailed when it said that some parents only discipline or train when they are embarrased or inconvenienced by their children. Uh-Oh. That was me when they were tiny. I am often still embarrased by the 10 yr old boy humor, but I have learned to laugh too! Thanks for the article. I'm here with Mrs. White, not the TOS blog walk, but had I checked that first, Um. I'd have been here for the walk . . .

Illinois Lori said...

Hi Terri! Thanks for stoping by my blog today...it's nice to "meet" you! Yes, we also found that pleasant onset of some maturity in those years! It's an interesting phase that comes next...when they stretch out and try on their "man-wings" during high school/college, but still don't have the breadth of years that bring true wisdom. Much of the time it's delightful...watching them fly on their own like that! But they still fly into trees here and there, and require straightening out and parental input. It's definately a marathon!

Well written analogy to unripe fruit...love it!

Blessings,
IllinoisLori

Rodna Allman said...

It is scary leaving kids home alone for the first time. My daughter is almost 14, and I still don't want to leave her home alone. I am sure they would be fine, but it is still scary! HA

I am stopping by from the Blog Walk.
I am now following you.

You can find me at:

http://trainingchildrenupforchrist.blogspot.com/

AND

#/pages/Training-Children-up-for-Christ/172207506164174

Shell said...

This is such a good reminder. I tend to want my kids to be more mature, when really, they are just acting their ages!