Praying this over my home this morning. We need wisdom. I need wisdom. Parenting two is the hardest job I’ve ever had (the best, yes…the hardest, too) – especially two that are as different as night and day…in the little things and the big things. I’m sure part of it is just the difference between boys and girls, but still.
He never stops moving…like, ever. He even wakes up in the middle of his naps and says some unintelligible things, jumps up and down for in his crib for five minutes and then goes back to sleep. What in the world? If our house were bigger, I’d be afraid I’d lose track of him. He’s always into something…the toilet, the trash, the dishwasher, the refrigerator, the pantry, the stairs. Did you know we never even owned a gate for those things until him? We moved here when Sawyer was his age and she acted like they didn’t exist! She never even tried to climb them…seriously…ever. His favorite things these days are to dive head first into the mudroom, climb the little stair and then slide down again…or toss something and chase it and toss it and chase it. These things are somewhat manageable – and some are quite cute.
I just feel like I’m constantly on my toes – and that’s ok, I suppose – it’s just not what I’m used to. Sawyer loved to read and learn and sing and explore and color. Wryder? Well, I hope he learns his animal noises and his alphabet by age 10. Ahem.
Even from a young age, Sawyer received correction so incredibly well. You could tell her no or remove something from her possession and tell her why you were taking it and she’d just move on. Wryder? Not so much. You can do those things to him and he immediately does them again or throws a fit.
I don’t say these things to bash on him. I know that he is fearfully and wonderfully made and I love him just as I love her…not based upon his actions but because he is mine. I just can’t get over how different they are.
Someone told us that you feel like you have it all figured out after your first one and then the second one comes along and you feel like a first time parent again, fumbling your way through life. I’m there.
I’m so pleased with the Lord’s favor on our raising of Sawyer and I’m begging for it with Wryder. I NEED HIS HELP. I don’t want to grow weary or frustrated or just flat give up…I want to do this well…for Wryder’s sake. I know I’m going to have to parent them differently, I’m just not totally sure what that looks like right now. All I know is that he and his heart are worth my time and effort and redundancy to be taught and guided and shaped. Lord, help me…
1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom
8 My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace
and be a chain of honor around your neck.
10 My child, if sinners entice you,
turn your back on them!
11 They may say, “Come and join us.
Let’s hide and kill someone!
Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!
12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave[b];
let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.
13 Think of the great things we’ll get!
We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.
14 Come, throw in your lot with us;
we’ll all share the loot.”
15 My child, don’t go along with them!
Stay far away from their paths.
16 They rush to commit evil deeds.
They hurry to commit murder.
17 If a bird sees a trap being set,
it knows to stay away.
18 But these people set an ambush for themselves;
they are trying to get themselves killed.
19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;
it robs them of life.
Wisdom Shouts in the Streets
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets.
She cries out in the public square.
21 She calls to the crowds along the main street,
to those gathered in front of the city gate:
22 “How long, you simpletons,
will you insist on being simpleminded?
How long will you mockers relish your mocking?
How long will you fools hate knowledge?
23 Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you
and make you wise.
24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come.
I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
25 You ignored my advice
and rejected the correction I offered.
26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble!
I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone,
and anguish and distress overwhelm you.
28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer.
Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.
29 For they hated knowledge
and chose not to fear the Lord.
30 They rejected my advice
and paid no attention when I corrected them.
31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,
choking on their own schemes.
32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death.
Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
33 But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.”