Looking in the mirror

Had a great visit with our oldest child/daughter Nica and her two kids for the past couple weeks (Thanks to Wes, her husband, for parting with them for so long!). We had a chance to work together (some Fitz Family performances - it was great to work with her again as that doesn't happen too often) and we also did some celebrating for our granddaughter Charlotte's 3rd birthday, a belated 50th celebration for Becky, my wife, and a wedding shower for Claire Rueffer our oldest son's fiance. Lots of parties!

It was also a time, on two different generations, to take a look in the mirror. Charlotte got a baby doll for her birthday and it was great fun to watch her walk around and 'put her to sleep' exactly like Nica puts Frank (the younger brother) to sleep. Body language and motion, words, tone of voice, concern that a 'sleeping baby' not be woken up with loud talking... it was ALL there. That is how it is supposed to work. We don't sit them down for a 'class' on taking care of babies. They see us do it and file it away/play/repeat it on their own and it becomes theirs. We saw much of ourselves in Nica too as we see our parents in ourselves.

It happens whether we plan for it or not. They watch, and learn, and repeat. They watch how we speak, relate, work, play, worship, pray, fight, rest, argue, praise, and on and on.

The most important thing we can do for our children is live - intentionally - a life that pleases God - to the best of our ability and with all the strength that God is happy to provide. They'll be watching and learning.