Becoming a parent is like stepping foot into a muddy river bed rumored to possess gold. The people who willingly step into parenting step in with the hope of discovering the treasure and a willingness to sift through the dirt.
There are times when my children shine like gold just resting on the surface of a muddy river bed. It is then that parenting seems painless and the rewards are received with little effort. Smiles and hugs, “Yes ma’am” and “I love you” deposited into my treasury with ease.
At other times there is not a sparkle to be seen when I look at my children. A landslide comes without warning and covers their radiance under layers of disobedience, emotional outbursts and irrational thinking. I have a choice to make in those moments. I can choose to give up and walk away from the muddied river or to stand firm, start sifting, and allow love, like a river, to start washing away the dirt.
When the radiance of my children is hidden I remind myself that I too often find myself under landslides of my own. I thank God that he never walks away from the mess I fall under but instead he continues to pick me up and wash me in his love. I want to love my children like that.
Parenting is a job that takes work, patience, and a willingness to sift through a lot of dirt in order to find the treasure hidden in your children. The task can seem overwhelming, but the reward is great. It is a dirty job, full of noise, a plethora of messes with their varying aromas, and selfless tasks that never end. There is craziness and conflict. There are hurts and mistakes. There is dirt on a daily basis.
Throughout the day are also the sounds of laughter and song, the looks of sparkling eyes and silly smiles, the feel of embraces and tiny fingers wrapped around mine, the smells of syrup kisses and flowers pulled from weeds. The treasures of tenderness, forgiveness, trust and persevering faithfulness are also placed in my hands. I let love wash away the dirt and hold tightly to my treasures because they are what matter most.
I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. -Isaiah 45:3
