Moments...

There are moments when my children come crashing through the house yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs...

There are moments when my kids scratch, bite, and pinch each other and it seems I can do nothing to stop them...

There are moments when they are rude, whiny, and sarcastic depite what they have been taught...

There are moments when they just can't seem to control themselves and anger or tears always end up being the end result...

There are moments when one of my kids gets hurt and all they want is to climb in my lap for me to make it all better...

There are moments when they climb into bed with me for an early morning snuggle...

There are moments when my children are triumphant in what they put their minds to do and I can celebrate in their victory...

There are moments when there are giggle wars with uncontrollable laughter that just cannot be contained...

There are moments when a simple "I love you" from one of them is what I really needed to hear...

There are moments I've already forgotten about and some I will treasure forever...

Dear Lord,

Help me to live these moments with my kids, each and every one of them. Help me not to be distant, not to be so involved in my own world that I forget about theirs. Help me to reach them at their level and point them to you in times of hurt, pain and confusion, but also in times of joy and celebration. Help me to push them, help me to encourage them, help me to teach them, talk to them, motivate them. But most importantly, Lord, help me to love them as deeply as you do.

Amen