A Child's Prayer & Perspective

It is now nearly 10 p.m. The day has been full, and the evening activities have been non-stop. Musings on a busy day…

…By what I can tell, the children’s noise and energy levels were high throughout the day. Mom was pretty exhausted when I came through the front door, and spent the evening after dinner in the recliner, blanket pulled up over her, reading and then resting with her eyes closed.

We did have an opportunity for a little conversation, in which she indicated that the kids had been pretty much on their own without much intervention from her. She has been wrestling with fatigue and some emotions. Today found her unable to direct or discipline the children. And so, they behaved a bit wild, noisy, uncontrolled and – gasp! – much like children.

Into this scene arrives the professional problem-solver, the man who has answers, the guy who gets paid to bring order to chaos. And he was tired from the wildness of his day at the office. Lots of unexpected activity which pulled him away from what he had hoped for – some precious, all-too-rare “desk time.” So, he retires to his castle, ready for some respite and quiet. Ahhhhh. That sounds lovely.

Yikes! What planet have I been on? I am a fool to expect any semblance of quiet when I come home to this bunch. I love each one of the kids God has given us, but sometimes wonder if they can possibly be any more expressive and dramatic? They are wound up, bouncing off the walls, and generally rambunctious with reckless abandon. Heavens, what have we done? What will we do? Then it hits me: WHAT WILL I - ME ALONE - I, I, I DO?

So I pull on the gloves and start to be the heavyweight champion of the dad-world. I will bring these kids into compliance, I will pummel them until they sit down dazed and in awe of my power, I will help them behave like little adults – only without the child-like attitudes and emotions. Yes, I will vanquish and win. I will prove the victor in getting some control of our – my – house and our – my – children.

Oh foolishness, indeed! I do not succeed in helping the kids see how they can contribute to a calm, reserved, measured atmosphere in the home. No, I am Ogre (hear me roar), I’m Mr. Bad-Guy, I morph into Mr. “Don’t Break The Rules Or Else” man. And in the process I yell, I lose it, I say stupid things.

So now my wife is in bed, the children are drifting off and here am I. We did make up, the younger kids and I, for which I am glad. Prayer time often helps remind them that I love them and that God is in control, even when Daddy isn’t. It reminds me that prayer is how I will survive and succeed as a parent. And my daughter S had treasure of a prayer tonight. She was priceless in asking God to touch some sick relatives, to bring glory to Himself in the midst of the tsunami tragedy, to help us know Him better. Beautiful prayer. A reminder, perhaps, that we are making some progress, even when external behaviors don’t necessarily look encouraging?

As I think through the eve, I believe I can do better. I can and must bring my expectations and my words and my own attitudes into line with what God has for me. I can set a better tone. Lord help me.

And thanks, God, for that child’s wonderful prayer tonight. Hear her, I pray.

Amen.