Proverbs
22:6 Says “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is
old he will not depart from it.” As a mom of 3 girls, some days
this task seems so daunting. I pray every day that God would
give me the wisdom and strength to do this very thing.
As
my girls get older, it seems like there are more and more things that
I feel like I have to protect them from and educate them about so
that they can make wise choices. And the older they get, the more
this weighs on me. Recently, I had “the talk” with my oldest
daughter. So, now there’s a wide range of topics that are cropping
up because of this new subject. I’m not saying that this is a bad
thing; it’s just one more way that she is growing up and becoming a
young woman. Our conversations have become way more deep and laced
with way more questions than they’ve ever been. I’m constantly
praying that I have the right words to say in these precious times
and that I can protect her sweet spirit while teaching her about
purity and God’s design for her body.
With
three girls in the house, something that is always interesting is
their emotional clashes. At any given point, our house can quickly
go from a house full of laughter to one or more girls crying or
screaming. It’s those times that I just have to shake my head,
give hugs, and prepare for the days when I’ll have 3 teenage girls
in the house at one time. (Pray for me.)
I
grew up in a house with 2 brothers, and I am in the middle. I longed
for a sister my entire life. So, I try to teach the girls to
appreciate and enjoy their sisters. To treat them well because
hopefully when they grow up they will be the best of friends.
Sisters are supposed to be there to tell secrets to, comfort each
other in sad times and laugh with each other in happy times. I see
that developing already in the girls, and it brings so much joy to my
heart. I love the times when I catch them snuggled up on the couch
together enjoying a movie. Or when my oldest takes the time out of
whatever she’s doing to read a book to my youngest. I encourage
them often to help each other and to spend time doing things
together. Of course, this is not easy. There are many many times
when this results in screaming, arguing, crying, etc. But we have to
work through it and learn how to love each other, speak with kindness
to each other, and compromise.
I
love having three girls, but it is not for wimps. There are days I
crawl (literally) into bed, waiting for sleep to come and enjoy the
blessed silence of three girls asleep for at least a few hours.
Having three girls definitely has its challenges, but it certainly has its benefits. It takes constant prayer
and
reminding yourself that you cannot do anything without God’s help.
I love that my girls know Jesus. That they all enjoy learning more
about Him through His word. Some of my favorite times are when we
are in the car traveling somewhere and hearing them all singing a
praise song together without realizing they are doing it. Or when
they seek out children on the playground at the park who look lonely
or who have a disability and can’t play with all of the other
children, and play with those children so that they make other
children happy. Those are the moments when I feel like I’m doing
ok. Those are the moments when I am so proud of them and look
forward to seeing what else God has planned for their lives.
By Lisa Powell/@mamaof3gs
