Jonathan and I have four kids ages 6, 4, 2, and 4 months that I get the privilege to stay home with. My life is crazy staying home and it is really crazy going out. I took all four out by myself yesterday to run some errands. First stop was TJ Maxx. We were going so our newly six year old could spend his birthday money from great grandma K and get a toy he’d eyed there previously. It takes years to get everyone out of the car and to safely navigate the parking lot. We finally get in and make our way to the toy wall. The kids were perusing every toy on every shelf oohing and ahhing until I finally wrangle them to the checkout, which is when I realize that I left my wallet at home on the counter. *cue internal meltdown. Meanwhile my two girls are up to no good messing with the candy shelves and I am explaining to my son what it means to have them “hold” the toy for us. So we go back to the car, which sounds simple but it takes forever because I have to peel the girls off of those shelves without completely losing my cool. Turns out “girls, come with mommy, it’s time to go” elicits no response in public. We go back home, I run in to get my wallet and we go back to TJ Maxx and repeat the whole unloading, checking out, prying off the shelves to leave. And this is only our first place we need to go. By this time I’ve cut two other stops off the list because I’m already worn out, but we really need to go to the grocery store. Praise for Aldi having two seats in their carts because I was able to put my double-trouble too-cute-for-words girls in there and then my 6 year old pushed the baby in the stroller. Our trip was fairly short and fairly smooth until it was time to leave. Apparently one of my angel girlies liked the cart a little too much and did not want to leave. I lift her out while she cries, set her down and she lays herself on the concrete by the cart. I start to walk away in hopes she’ll follow and to not respond much to the full forced fit my two year old is throwing, but unfortunately other people are trying to put their carts away and my little pumpkin pie is sprawled out in their way. So I get her and we finally make it to the car. I’m frustrated. Literally out loud “God, please help me. Give me your patience.” And we make a bee line straight home. This was just one hour of my day.
And here is what I realized- we’ve got some work to do and areas to grow in. The time to train my babes in how to listen, how to leave, and how to obey is not in public. We have to practice and learn these things in private so that in public we’ve all mastered the basics and can go out smoothly. And this is true for a lot of life. The time to learn the Bible isn’t when you’re preaching. The time to learn to shoot the ball isn’t during the game. Most skills take time and training and practice in private before putting them in action in public. And parenting kids is no different. The time to teach your kids to obey when you say “come here!” is not when they’re running in the street with a car coming. It takes hours and hours of daily consistency with love and patience to teach kids the things they need to know in how to relate to the world around them and how to obey the people who want to protect them most.
This week we are going on Team Jones Family Retreat! We are taking our kids to stay in a cabin where you can see the stars at night. Each day we will have a training hour, where we will role play, do relays, and practice different areas we need to work on as a family. Like getting ready to leave the house and sitting in our seats promptly. Or using yes ma’am and no sirs. Or staying seated at the table during family dinner. Or learning how to welcome others into our home and host them well. We have lots of fun treats and whistles and stop watches to make it quite the event each day and I am excited to see our kids learn as we take the time to teach them. We’re going to make a family flag and have family devotions planned each morning as well as jobs for each kiddo to help prepare breakfast. Micaiah is a fantastic bacon maker and Essie girl can make a mean toasty toast. Lauralai can set the table and make sure everyone has silverware, plates, and napkins. And Corban can be cute! We’re a family team and everyone has a gift to contribute. Jonathan and I are growing as their coaches, not just looking to encourage skilled players, but players with heart. Grateful we have the ultimate Playbook that teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains in righteousness. Pray for our time this week that our family would make memories and grow to be a brighter city on a hill!
Making it Matter,
Laura Jones
