Our job as parents, regardless of our childs' ages, is not just to keep them safe from the world, but to train them how to live, in the world, enjoying God's creation, and living to the full, lives that honor God. Dear Lord- I thank you for my guys, I pray that you'd give us wisdom, in our parenting choices, that we'd be training them, in the way THEY should go, not necessarily the way we would, I pray that I can always see where my fun-noodle rules are, and adjust them. I love you Lord- and thank you for each of my boys- amen.
Equals THROW.
Any questions? I didn't think so. It's amazing- add rocks, boys (or men) and a water source- and you have hours of fun. I used to constantly yell.... ("No Throwing, Boys- NO Throwing!") But long ago, I realized it was going against the grain. I'm just happy they aren't throwing rocks at each other!
I was intrigued by the pond in the pic aboves' use of fun-noodles for weed containment. I'm thinking that the farm was trying to keep the water plants from taking over the whole pond.... but, I thought it was hilarious that there were weeds being contained by "fun-noodles". Somewhat ironic, if you ask me.
I have to wonder- how many times do we do the same thing? We corral our kids, our leaders our lives, with fun-noodle boundaries and rules trying to keep everything in our control. Yet- somehow, in doing so- we limit the growth that could occur. We change a nautural setting into one thats "perfect"- but not organic.
I'm not a "no holds barred" kind of Mom, but I have to admit- when challenged on some of my rules, my reasoning has fallen short. I sometimes don't see how much my well established and thought through, plan for "containment", might really be as ridiculous as fun-noodles in a pond.
Years ago, my oldest was only allowed to ride his "big wheel" from our driveway, to the next-door neighbors. About, oh... 50 feet. He was 6 at the time. A friend found out... about my "fun-noodle rule", and challenged me to re-consider. She gently suggested, that maybe a 1 driveway per year rule would be more appropriate.
Eventually, the driveways gave way to around the block, then to riding to the CVS, now- I'm preparing to let my oldest drive a car, on his own.
The pond I saw yesterday, was at a beautiful little pettting farm. The lawn was manicured, the pond well cared for. There was a perfectly planned little waterfall, well chosen rocks around the pond.
But- honestly? I prefer the wild beauty of nature. There is a beauty in a lake with lilypads- growing where they may. There is also something wonderful, about boys throwing rocks, riding big-wheels and driving cars. Something that depicts Gods continued involvement in creation, growth. As a mom, it's a challenge to constantly evaluate whether my rules and boundaries for my children are valid, and healthy, or overly controlling fun-noodle rules. Overly restrictive rules, strangle children, the same way that fun-noodles hamper pond plant growth. Healthy boundaries and rules, provide a safe atmosphere to grow and stretch in. Allowing our little pond weeds- to grow and flourish. Proverbs 22:6
" Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
