Too Young?

The other day I wrote a blog about being too old for LEGOs.

Today’s blog is about being too young.

While we were visiting Missy and her family these last few days, Ronald and I got to channel our inner children while we played doll house with our very own little doll!

While Dylan played with new Nerf guns and Josie played with her new Belle doll, I hauled out some stitchery I plan to finish this year. (It’s been waiting in the closet for 20 years or so!)

I’ll do a blog on procrastination another day.

Anyway …

The activity caught Josie’s attention. She stood and watched for a while before asking what I was doing. I explained I was sewing and someday when she was older, I would teach her how to sew.

I quickly rethought my statement. The right time for teaching a child is most always right now.

As I have looked back on a number of activities in our past, I am realizing more and more that life is mostly a once and done chance to do something. Teaching a child in the moment of expressed interest may spark an interest for a lifetime. Spending that teachable moment with a little one may be making an indelible memory. A memory of love.

So …

I took my precious 2 year old granddaughter into my lap and began to show her how I stitched. I explained and made her repeat the words needle and thread…we’re still working on the ‘th’ sounds. I then let her pull the needle until the thread was taut.

With very little instruction and in a very short time, she was holding the needle like a pro. She would help me put the needle into the cloth, I would make the stitch, and she would pull again. She was totally focused for over 20 minutes.

Will she remember these few moments? I’m sure she won’t, but I will.

I wish I could encourage all parents to take time with their children. Life is short.

I could write on parenting forever. It’s one of my favorite tangents. But I won’t. Good parenting has to be something a person chooses to do. Whether teaching a skill or molding attitudes and personalities, it is a parent’s responsibility and privilege to invest time, energy, and love.

Enough said.

Okay. Not quite.

The most important thing anyone can teach a child is about God and His love for them. Deuteronomy admonishes adults to use every opportunity to teach the precepts of God, exposing them to His Truth at every turn.

Final comment – walk worthy of the great calling He has given to every person – parent or not – to model Christ’s love.

Blessings

Kara Beth