How much can we learn from a child?   I say that we have a lot to learn from children.  I have learned so much about myself through my children.  I have been forced to be patient, kind, forgiving and stay constantly in faith.  My children watch everything that I do and say and sometimes I think to myself that I can’t get away with anything because they quickly remind me if I say or do something inappropriate. 

My daughter, who is three years old acts like a mom to her older brothers.  She mimics everything I say and do.  She makes me laugh when she quickly rebukes her brothers for doing something that they shouldn’t be doing.  My children have been a mirror of myself.  I noticed that when I let life overwhelm me and when I let my emotions take control of my actions my children are affected by it.  They become easily agitated and it takes a lot of energy to bring peace into their hearts. 
I can tell you that I have had many prayers answered through my children.  I remember praying for as long as I can remember to have more patience.  Now I think, what was I thinking?   I prayed, God listened and not only did He listen He sent a solution.  That’s right He sent my children, now I am forced into having patience.

I asked God to be more forgiving and accepting of others.  Again, God listened and answered and brought my children into my life.  Now I have to daily forgive and be accepting of the persons that God is creating them to be.

I asked God to live my life daily in faith.  That’s right, again God answered!  Now I have to use my faith daily and believe that God has a special plan for the life of all my three children despite what any one might say. 

I can tell you one thing with the most assurance and faith of my heart that there has been instances in my life that I have had to do things and make decisions for the health and growth of my children and these decisions haven’t been easy ones but despite everything no one or anything can ever rob them of the future that God has in store for them.  The only part that God has allowed me to have in the success of their future is the perseverance of faith and the testimony of godliness that I have to give my children daily.  Don’t think I’m perfect, I make mistakes, I often say things and react to things in ways that I wish I could take back but I have learned that my children remember the seed that I plant today not the imperfections that I did yesterday.  Don’t allow anyone or anything to dictate to you that you are a bad parent.  You might have made mistakes in the past but you can still make a change today that could be so significant that will change the future of your children.  I encourage you to persevere in your relationship with God, for that alone has been my only strength and guide daily on raising my three children.

I write this blog today because I am seeing the fruit of my faith and sacrifice.  My second Son was diagnosed with autism three years ago, and for a long time I battled with God of why He would allow this to happen to my son.  I soon realized that he was a blessing to me, he taught me and continues to teach me things about me that I wouldn’t of otherwise have learned.  I speak of him today because God is doing something amazing in his life.  After seeing his developmental pediatrician this morning she pointed out that he has done a significant amount of progress with his social skills and speech in the past year that are surprising to her.  She was staring at him for a few moments in amazement.  Wondering how could he have accomplished such progress?  She was also surprised at how affectionate and sweet he is.  Normally children with autism don’t like any physical contact and my son didn’t like that either for some time.  Now I have to say that he is the most affectionate of my three children.  God isn’t a God that relies on the glory of the miracles of the past but He rejoices on answering our prayers today and most often our prayers are answered in manners that we don’t recognize at first but soon learn that He is listening and He does answer.  Don’t lose faith just because you aren’t seeing your answer today, the word of God says that He answers our prayers before the request comes out of our mouths.  The blessing as already been given so don’t lose faith and persevere because with some time you will soon see it.  Be blessed!