What Is Really Important?

My friend Kim is pregnant with her second child, and she recently emailed to ask about life with two kids. As I shared with her some of the things the Lord had taught me, I was reminded of a time Rocky was about a week old. It was evening, and Gracie was crying because she wanted me to hold her. Rocky was crying because he was having trouble latching on for a feeding, and I was crying because I was feeling overwhelmed. I felt sad for Gracie because I knew she didn't understand why I couldn't hold her, and in my hormonal, post-pregnancy state-of-mind, I was afraid she would think I didn't love her anymore. Then, Lou gently reminded me that God was using all of this to help Gracie learn to share and not to be selfish. That helped me so much.
Recently, a young mom in our church asked me for some counsel. She had read many books and articles on how her kids needed time outside each day, and they needed play dates and so on and so on. She was overwhelmed and was having a hard time getting everything done. As we talked, I started thinking about what is really important. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great for kids to have time outside and time with other children, but is that really the most important thing? The world's wisdom is very child-focused and tells parents that we must do all these things for our children and give them all of these opportunities if they are to succeed. But God's Word talks about training our children "in the way they should go." We know that God would have us to teach our children about Him in all that we do, and in doing that, we are to teach them to be patient, to be kind, to be unselfish, to be content, to be obedient that they would glorify God in all they do. This is what is really important. So often I lose sight of that. I thought of this the last time we went out for ice cream. Gracie really enjoyed the ice cream, and she was sad when it was gone. Instead of trying to pacify her by diverting her attention, I tried to talk to her about being thankful for the ice cream and for being content with what God allowed us to have. Even though I know she's little and doesn't understand a lot of what I say, I think, in part, I say it for my own benefit, too. I need to be reminded to be thankful and content with what God provides for us. Isn't God good to teach us even as we seek to teach our children?