Friday, March 12, 2010

Musings About Raising Daughters




You know when you see the title, "Musings" on a blog, any blog, there's no telling what it's going to be about, right? My blogging of late has been sparse, for different reasons. Firstly, (we say "secondly", so why not "firstly"?) I made a commitment to the man upstairs to decrease my computer time...drastically. There are just too little precious moments in the day to waste. Let's see, I've got a 2600 sq foot home to manage. A persnickety tabby cat to please. A hunka-hunka-burning love to helpmeet. Three rambunctious, mischievous, in-need-of-constant-training, precious children to care for. That makes it pretty tough to justify time spent in front of this screen. Secondly, I just haven't had a lot of inspiration in this area. I'm in a funk, OK? Sheesh. And the rare moments that do bring inspiration are too often interrupted by one of the precious dears previously mentioned.

So yesterday I was musing...Gracie asked me to fix her hair in pony tails. As I brushed, parted, and ponied, it came to me...in just a few short years she'll be fixing her own hair. Yes, she is only 3 3/4, but look how fast those short years have flown by. How will I bear it? Does it ever just hit you like that? The almost devastating awareness that this child will not be here forever? She is virtually gone tomorrow. With her crazy mess-making and princess dress wearing and coloring out of the lines. What a short time we have to hold them and cuddle them and instill important truths in their hearts! Oh, ache of my heart! How I will miss this squeezable girl! I don't want to forget how she says, "You wanna play dolls wiff me?" Is there any way to permanently imprint these memories in my brain? Along with two other lovies who fill the days with cute sayings and expressions and sweet hugs? Thus the blog. It's an attempt to preserve.





My prayer for my girls is that they give their hearts to Jesus at a young age, and never taste the sin of this world. I hope they fall in love with holy living, and submit themselves to God's plan for them. I pray God will help me to instill in them the values of modesty and femininity and that they find an oasis in prayer. I have so many questions. How do I keep them from being boy chasers? From falling into the trap of girl-gossip? To value simplicity and wholesomeness and purity? That beauty is not defined by Hollywood's latest Miss Thang, but God "beautif[ies] the meek with salvation". When the time comes, where to draw the line with dating. Will they date? Or court? Truthfully, I don't have a clue about these things. But I'm trusting that my Lord will give that knowledge to me when I need it. He said if we ask, we will receive, and I'm asking for lots of wisdom.

I love this song by The Isaacs. I cry each time I hear it. If you have a little girl, grab some Kleenexes before you listen.

4 comments:

Natural Mama said...

Yep, I teared up when I first heard that song! Sweet post..love the pics of the dahlings, esp the one on the bed. And I recommend the book, What He Has to be before He Can Marry My Daughter, by Dr Voddie Bachaum and Raising Maidens of Virtue.

Wendi and Benjamin Wood said...

cute dresses on the girls! and love the video. i might have to steal that one for my blog! dont be surprised if you see it on there some time! glad you are enjoying time with your family!

Anonymous said...

Are you serious? I am so crying. Thanks for sharing. What a sweet post and a reminder. I too have lost my interest in blogging as much because there is so much that we have righ tin front of us.

Love ya. Thanks for sharing.Now, I have to cry some more. HahahA!

Susan said...

This is a sweet post...and so true. May God help us to raise our little girls (and boys!) for Him and for His glory. Looks like you're doing a great job, and doing what is important, Mamey Jane. That is funny that we both posted on daughters. :) Keep it up, and treasure the moments that are truly fleeting!