Rejoicing and Delight

I love my daughter, I love when she walks up to me and just wants to be held or snuggled, or just get in the middle of what I am working on. Let's be honest though, sometimes it drives me nuts that she wants to be right there involved in what I am doing, whether it is writing a paper, or cooking. It is very easy to tell her, "No" and go back to what I am doing. It would be very easy to yell at her for messing up the laundry I just folded. Let's face it, sometimes it is very easy to get  frustrated with our children and push them away. I try very hard not to do this. I have neighbors who scream at their children all the time, I am pretty sure this is the only way they know how to communicate. However, not only is this annoying, but it is wrong. Children can feel when their parents are frustrated with them or resent them, and constantly turning your child away or yelling at them is hurtful. It is hurtful to your children, and it is hurtful for your relationship.

When I feel myself starting to get irritated with Emma for wanting me when I am focused on something else, I make point to stop what I am doing to give her some attention. This is what she wants anyway, she wants my full attention, she wants "Mommy time".  Children need these things, they need to feel secure and loved, and this is one way, especially at this age, of showing them your love. Emma needs to know she is important to me, and she is more important than dinner, or my homework. Cultivating that relationship with her is more important to me than almost anything else. My responsibility as a parent is to teach her godly principles, and encourage her, and lift her up. Even when disciplining her. I never want to break my daughters beautiful spirit, I never want to crush her confidence, or shatter her self-esteem. I have seen way too many parents do this to their children, and it is just so heartbreaking. 

This reminds me of our relationship with the Lord. Did you know that Proverbs 8 talks about how His "delight was with the sons of men"? I remember when Emma was about 3 months old or so and she began to really notice the things around her more. She looked up one day and saw these flowers I have on a shelf above our television and her whole face lit up. It truly was like her whole body was smiling when she noticed those flowers. Almost is if they were put there especially for her. I thought at the time that the delight she showed when she saw those flowers is just a tiny glimpse of how much the Lord delights in us. 

Right before that part of the verse (vs 31), it says "Rejoicing in His inhabited world." WOW! He rejoices in us AND is delighted with us! How amazingly awesome is this? Okay, I know what some may be thinking, "Well, that does not mean me, just the population and the world in general." Well, you are wrong. Read Psalm 139 and tell me that the Lord does not rejoice and delight in us personally. He does, He loves you with an amazing and awesome love. 

I truly delight in my daughter. Every morning she crawls into my  lap and snuggles as we watch Sesame Street. I love and cherish these moments. I cherish those moments when she wants to share her food with me. Yes, even the food that she has smashed in her hands until it is unrecognizable. And while I complain about it, I truly love her incredibly slobbery kisses. She is a delight to watch as she giggles and laughs hysterically at the dogs when they play. She brings me so much joy, and I am even more in awe when I realize that as much joy as she brings me, this is still only a small glimpse of how much joy God takes in me (and you).