Meaningful Monday...

It's late in the nap time hours. I don't really know how much time I have left to listen to silence. I'm sitting here, with cheerios in a kiddie snack cup, trying to rev up for the afternoon.  I {accidently} had too much coffee this morning and now I'm hoping I don't crash too hard because Patrick is working a little later this evening and I need to be mentally prepared to handle my sweet boys -- come what may.

But today has been different than most days.

After what seems like years of constant disobedience and discipline, speaking the truth in love -- and honestly, sometimes just speaking {not in love} -- correction and teaching and tears, my boys have been so sweet today.  Andrew hasn't been as clingy or so offended by his big brothers actions.  Benjamin has obeyed and listened and has been tender and kind.

Today I have heard a lot of "may I" and "okay mom" and "you're awesome" and "thank you so much for...".  I'm beyond blessed by these things.  Although they may seem little, these little years offer little surprises that give you a little glimpse and a little hope into the days to come.

Days like this are necessary.  God knows that and by His kindness allows them -- whenever He sees fit.  I'm SO grateful that He saw it fit today!

If we don't have obedient and kind days -- where discipline seems few and far between and joy abounds more than tears -- how will I know we are progressing?  How will I know that I'm doing anything right? How will I know that there is hope for kind and obedient and joyful children?  How will I know that this is just a season of training and growing and learning?

These tiny years, when they are little but want to be so big, they go by so quickly and I don't want to wish them away or look back in regret.  These are MY years for them.  God has given me these days and months and years to love them and train them in the way they should go.  I've been given these days to grow with my boys and to give them what they need to be the best little people they can be. And hopefully, that will allow them to be really great big people!  Despite my sin, and theirs, these days are fruitful and beautiful and hard and exhausting.  But full of joy and blessings galore.

This Monday is so good.  And I don't expect any day to be good.  But God is kind and knows me and Benjamin and Andrew so intimately.  A good day was just what we needed.

But let's be honest, even on disobedient days, it's still a good day!