One of the things that has been pressing on my heart lately, is the need to just STOP, and take delight in whatever is ” troubling” me. For instance, if money is burdening me, I am challenged to stop worrying about it, and thank God for what I have. To take delight in the job and money God has given us. If it’s my home that’s bothering me, I try and take a moment and remind myself of this awesome blessing of a house! Maybe all I need to do is clean up a room and enjoy it. Because I was thinking of this so much, I plan on writing about a ‘Taking Delight In’ series over the next few months!.
Today, I wanted to write about taking delight in our children! It’s easy to get frustrated or annoyed with the kids sometimes. The business of life combined with the energy of little ones, can get to us.
The other day, I just had to STOP….. I had to stop and take a deep breath, and look at my children with different eyes. I had to stop thinking about the laundry that wasn’t put away, or the dishes that weren’t done. I had to not get frustrated that their school work wasn’t finished or the fact that the baby had spit up on me for the fifth time that day. I had to just take a moment, calm everything around me, look at my children and delight in these precious gifts! You see, a few days ago I read this awesome verse in Zephaniah 3:17
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.[a]
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
This gripped my heart! God takes delight in ME with gladness!! How much more should I take the time and delight in my children? the gifts He has given me. As I read about delight, the word actually means ‘take pleasure in, enjoy’. I started thinking that sometimes as parents, a simple thing we need to do is slow down, take pleasure in, and enjoy our kids. Even on our worst days ( and we know we have them!), we can look forward to a new day that’s coming every morning. 
Some of the things that my husband and I do to ‘delight’ in our children are : pulling each child aside separately to tell them ” I love you! I believe in you, and I enjoy you”. Watching them play and laugh and being their unique selves. Listening to them….. really listening to them talk, grow and make choices on their own. Seeing them do things for the first time, and then praising them for it, the smiles on their faces are priceless. Sometimes it’s as simple as reading books with them, hearing them sing, or allowing them to tell you about their dreams. When children have your eye contact and know you care, they know they have your heart!.
So, maybe this week, put forth a bit of effort to enjoy your kids! They will never be this age again. Let’s show the love of God and delight in your precious little ones just as God delights in us.
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Im looking forward to the rest of the series 🙂