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One word. Five minutes to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.
keep watch
watch me, Mom!
watch out
watch over me
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One of my favorite things when my children were babies was just watching them sleep. I actually have a theory that seeing your kids asleep reminds you of how sweet they were as babies so it's easier to forgive them for the ridiculous things they do when they are teenagers. Keep a photo handy of your sweet littles sleeping peacefully, and look at it―a lot―during their teen years.
But I digress. I loved watching my babies sleep; and I loved watching them learn new skills. I loved watching them play sports, perform at recitals, act goofy with their friends, and succeed at new things they tried. My job as a parent and teacher was sometimes just to get them started and then stand back and watch as they figured it out and practiced. In a new setting, sometimes all they needed was to know that Mum or Dad was there watching and wouldn't let anything bad happen to them.
And they were watching me too. Little ones watch their parents for cues about how to handle things. Have you noticed how a toddler will often take a stunned second after taking a little tumble to look at Mum? If Mum reacts with fear or worry, the toddler may react the same way even if he isn't really hurt. If Mum reacts with a silly or cheerful "Oops! You're okay!" the little one will usually be encouraged to get up and try again, and eventually learns that it's not the end of the world when there are some setbacks in life.
You may get real tired watching me, but I'm not going to quit. ~Harrison Ford
Kids want to know that their parents are watching them on the ballfield or in the school play―"Dad, are you coming to watch my game?" or "Mum, did you see me? Did I do a good job?" I suspect there's a measure of comfort for older kids knowing that their parents are indeed watching to make sure they behave properly and are okay in social situations, even if they try to act all cool like they don't need you. Same with teens and even young adults. They may not let on, but I have a feeling they are expecting that their parents will keep watching over them and be ready to help if needed.
We watch our kids to keep them safe, to keep an eye on their behavior, and because we love them so very much. Kids watch their parents for reassurance and to learn how to respond to the world.
Discipline is just doing the same thing the right way whether anyone's watching or not. ~Michael J. Fox
No matter our age, it's so good to know that our Heavenly Father is alwasy watching over us. He will always guide us in the right way, protect us from harm, and because he is a Father who loves his children, he delights to watch us react to his blessings with joy and gratitude. We need to watch him as well, so we can keep step with him and so that we can know how to react when the hard things in life knock us on our butts.
A SONG OF ASCENTS.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains―
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip―
he who watches over you wil not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you―
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm―
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
~Psalm 121~
********************
Read my letter to the old folks, and give my love to them, and tell my brothers to be always watching unto prayer, and when the good old ship of Zion comes along, to be ready to step aboard. ~Harriet Tubman
And a vintage song to close instead of my usual humorous quote:
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I love watching kids, but I am so frightened for them, for the world they are inheriting.
ReplyDeleteOur faith is being bested
(that's what elites are saying),
when they gloat of kids arrested
for standing outside, praying.
All sin demands acceptance
(which really means support),
and if we don't show obedience,
they'll make sure we get hurt.
In schools Scripture is confiscated,
and childhood ripped away
that perversions may be contemplated
in place of healthy play
as I remember from my youth
on grass-green fields of grace and truth.
It's so sad, I agree with you - I hate seeing what the world is becoming for the next generation. I hope we're raising up some godly heroes who will stand firm on God's truths and turn things around. My consolation is that God's love and his justice WILL win in the end. Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation.
DeleteLove your thoughts on watching your children and then how you related it to God watching us. So very true and I believe I'll be thinking about this all day. Thank you for the reminder of this truth. Hope you have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments - I hope you have a great day too!
DeleteI love how you brought your life experiences with your children into watching. I remember watching my children sleep and play sports when they were young. So many blessings. Hold on to these moments because they go by so quickly. Now I am having the blessing of watching my grandchild grow up.
ReplyDeleteThe time does go quickly! It feels like just yesterday that my kids were those sleepy cherubs in the photo, and now they're all grown-ups and I have grandbabies. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteKym,
ReplyDeleteI loved watching babies sleep. And when they were older I watched them sleep while talking to them and telling them what my heart longed to say without eyes rolling at me. When they were teens I noticed they still slept in the same positions as when they were babies. I could watch, pray and talk without any pushback. These are some of my favorite memories. Thank you for reminding me!
FMF #9 Lisa
Shhhh, don't tell my kids but I looked in on them sleeping when they were teens too and it always took me back to when they were little. Great memories. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI enjoyed this aspect of parenting/teaching my children when they were younger, Kym, "My job as a parent and teacher was sometimes just to get them started and then stand back and watch as they figured it out and practiced."
ReplyDeleteyes, I loved watching them do it on their own and cheering for them when they succeeded! But it was sometimes really hard to watch the unsuccessful attempts, even when I knew it was necessary to let that happen. :-( Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteLove this post and your take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for sharing the link to that great song. It's always been a favorite.
So many times those golden oldie songs remain favorites for good reason - I love this one too! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI like the premise of this series. I really want to do more creative writing on my blog but I get caught up in series that I have joined or co-host and there is never time for just writing. Going to check this out.
ReplyDeleteI really like the different synonyms of 'watch' you incorporated in your writing. Very clever. I watched my children sleep some but I watched them awake more!! For some reason I stared at them when I was driving...not safe!! But at stop lights and stop signs, I would turn and stare at them. Now both of my daughters do the same thing with their babies.
We'd love to have you join in for Five Minute Friday - it's perfect for those who have only a short time to write (I usually go well over 5 minutes in order to make a graphic and add the quotes etc, and that's okay too!) Thanks for stopping by to comment!
DeleteWhat a sweet and honest post, Kym. I agree, memories of sweet sleeping wee ones help in the teen years. Well done, writer.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment!
Delete