Take a Lap

I took our puppies on a walk like I do most days. One of the pups had a tough time. He was all over the place and barking like crazy. When we got to the house, I decided to drop his sister off and take him for another lap. He needed the extra practice.

When I walked up our steps to the front door, my mind was racing. I was tired. I had a million things to get done before the kids were home all summer. Taking this (dumb) dog around the block one more time was not what I wanted to do. But, I knew that if he was going to stay living in this house, he was in desperate need for some extra practice.

We went on that extra lap. And, wouldn’t you know, he did so much better. Go figure.

Isn’t parenting this way? Our kids need an extra lap. They need the extra practice, extra help, extra encouragement, extra discipline, extra rerouting but we are exhausted. Our to-dos are overflowing and we do not have time, nor the energy, for an extra lap. Can I encourage you, and me, to take that extra lap with our kids.

It is easy to look at our older kids and think they’re a good kid; they are older and don’t need me as much. Oh, but they do. I have found that the older ones need us more now (especially emotionally) then they did way back when.

Our kids need to take another lap with us and we need to be available. How many laps has God walked with you? For me? That number is infinite. So many times, He has patiently walked next to me around the block until I finally got it. My kids need the same.

I love how God teaches us through our children; and even our pets. We all need an extra lap. Are you willing to take it?

Romans 5:3-4 “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Love & Blessings,

Meg