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The calling of parenting

My children are of an age where adulthood looms in the distance. Childhood seems to be shrinking. Our work as parents seems increasingly important. 

I’m reading The Tech Wise Family after resisting since it’s been published. I was certain it would tell me I was wrong about everything. Instead, I see the point of several things we’ve worked to do and am challenged—in the best ways—in some other areas. 

I took two of my boys to a violin concert at a local college this afternoon. It was glorious and I loved sharing it with them. 

We started praying dedicatedly at bedtime last year. We picked up journaling with the 10yo  after everyone else is in bed again a few months ago. This week, we decided to start lighting candles at dinner. Our almost-13-year-old declared it our new tradition. 

We fill out home with music practice and art supplies and board/card games. I bought checkers just today when I saw it at Walgreens for $8. We build train tracks and play basketball outside and run through the property with sticks. We play soccer with friends and stretch our legs on bikes and read stories out loud. We play the switch and watch movies together too. Our child with dyslexia reads almost completely on the computer and we pile our shelves with books.

This is still my favorite thing I’ve written about home, though parts of it seem dated now.

Psalm 78:1-7 rings in my ears.

My people, hear my instruction;
listen to the words from my mouth.
I will declare wise sayings;
I will speak mysteries from the past—
things we have heard and known
and that our ancestors have passed down to us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but will tell a future generation
the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
his might, and the wondrous works
he has performed.
He established a testimony in Jacob
and set up a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach to their children
so that a future generation—
children yet to be born—might know.
They were to rise and tell their children
so that they might put their confidence in God
and not forget God’s works,
but keep his commands.

I want to give them all we’ve got because we don’t have them long. My calling to parenting them seems sharper and deeper lately. I’m leaning in.

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