Hale was awake early in the morning so I fixed her hair until Chantry hurled a loud cry signalling she was also awake. I told Hale to stay and wait because the three of us will be strolling around the block. I ran toward Chantry as if beating the speed of a jetplane. Mothers can be great runners, too! After cleaning Chantry, I proceeded to the front of our home while carrying my eight-month-old baby. Through the glass door, I could see Hale looking at us. I stared closely at her and noticed tears falling from her eyes. I remember my promise…and I was breaking it. I immediately went into our house toward her and opted to ask her why she was weeping. She answered “…because I want to go outside.” I immediately apologized that I forgot about her, patted her and transitioned to show a cheerful face. “Let’s go outside,” I said. Then she began hurrying toward her outdoor slippers ready to meet the sunlight knowing that we will walk around the block.

Hale seemed to have recovered fast and felt my sincerity. She was laughing and giggling as we walked. Chantry on the other hand was silently observing the surroundings.

Mornings like this can be one of the best times of the day to bond with my two kids. It could be the busiest part of the day but also a perfect chance to feel the sunlight with two of the most important people in my life.

Lesson

Broken promises can have a huge effect to our kids. We might take it lightly, ignore it and pretend things will be OK. If we do not acknowledge our mistakes and show off a self-righteous attitude, only then we shall see its impact… to their behavior and to their personality as they grow. If no proper action is taken while they’re young, only then we shall hope to return to their childhood when time has already sped its way to the future of and no turning back – when they might just struggle to honor us because of too many broken promises, disappointments and aggravations.

Prayer

Father, thank you for entrusting these little ones to us. Help us to become the kind of parents you expect us to be. Please give us wisdom to train them up in the way they should go so that when they grow older and are ready to soar, they will never depart from these teachings we have imparted with them.

During these moments when our children need us and always want to be with us, enable us to always be there for them. Help us to refrain from making promises we will only break. Help us to not provoke or disappoint them. When we don’t know how to become good parents, help us to know how. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Verse

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4, ESV)