prayer hands

A while back I saw this idea on The Parker Family blog. Essentially, you trace your children's hands every year and decide on a prayer for the coming year. It could be relevant to their age, a stage they are going through or just a hope you have for them. I absolutely loved the idea and thought that it would be a fun thing to do at each birthday. Then, when they are older, they have a collection of the specific prayers you had for them. I mean, I am pretty sure I will be a bawling mess by the time Thatcher or any of our unborn children are 18, headed to college and I am looking back at these.

Look at these precious 1 year old hands. I love that they are smudged and not at all perfect. I love that they remind me of the mini battle we had just to get this project accomplished.

At this point in his life, his little personality is slowly emerging. Each day he becomes more of the individual he was created to be. I want him to always remember that even before he was born, he was Thatcher. He is special and unique and has a set of gifts that are his alone. As his parent, I feel strongly that it is my responsibility to encourage these gifts and be supportive of them, regardless of what they may be. This idea is a central tenant of one of my favorite chapters in one of my favorite books Praying the Scriptures for Your Children

Basically, the point is that we, as parents, should see the positive side of our children's behavior even when it's challenging. The reason being that their behavior (not misbehavior, an important distinction) is often a manifestation of their precious God given gifts. I just love this idea, and the author uses the following example:

"Next time your 4th grader puts off doing his homework so he can entertain your friend’s preschool-aged children when she stops by for a visit, thank God for giving him the gift of service. And when your 12 year old fails to come home on time for dinner because he was talking with the recently widowed gentleman who lives up the street, bear in mind that he may have the gift of mercy."

So at the tender age of 1, I really hope that I remember to do my part in encouraging these gifts in Thatcher. When he opens the same drawer in the kitchen for the 39th time to grab a sippy cup and run away giggling, I hope I remember that he has the beautiful gift of playfulness and humor rather than worrying about the fact that I just.emptied.that.clean.cup.from.the.darn.dishwasher!!! And I pray that he will always see his strengths as gifts as well.