Patient Parenting

I just wanted to share with everyone this that was forwarded to me.
Patient Parenting Sharon Betters
Dear Daughter of the King,
Can it be? You, a young mother of several children? How well I remember that special season of life. We often say that if we could go back to one age and live it again, the season in which you find yourself is exactly the place. I know it's easy to remember the "good ole days" in a way that seems fantasy to others! But I urge you to capture the moments before they fly away. Yes, there are many frustrating moments but even they are magical when you consider the hard work of raising children, the repetitiveness that seems, oh so boring and wearisome. Will they ever come the first time you call? Will they ever stop crying? Will they really learn how to use the potty? (Do you know of any teenagers who are not potty trained?!) Will you and your husband ever have quality time that is ju st for you? And then the big, big bottom line question:
When is it MY turn?
I'm here to give you hope - but recognize as a daughter of the King:
It will never really be just YOUR turn! It is always Jesus' turn!
All of our lives are about surrendering to God's purposes knowing that it's always HIS turn. Before you know it, your husband and you will be celebrating your first child's graduation and in the midst of the fun and family you will take a deep breath, look at each other, and wonder, "How did we get here so fast!" Again, I urge you:
Capture the joy of each new day.
Enjoy the sweet scent of your little boys when you lift them out of the tub and wrap them in a towel; the feel of their skin, their struggles, their need to have you kiss their boo boos before they can feel better.
Take time with girlfriends. Enjoy the times where someone else waits on you! (That has to be why women's retreats are so popular!) Accept that sometimes children just don't cooperate and you may have to put your special interests on a back burner for a while. Soak up every opportunity to learn about godly marriage and parenting. Children present opportunities to see every day life as God's exercise room -- a place to work spiritual muscles and become that wonderful, virtuous woman!
You are already a virtuous woman in my eyes. As you live each day, make time with our God a priority. Don't feel guilty when it's only a few minutes of prayer before your feet touch the floor in the morning because other times you will have an hour to meditate and journal. Don't skimp on time with godly women, surround yourself with women who emulate the love of Christ and are not afraid to admit to their failures or share parenting and marriage mistakes. Refuse to enter into conversations that demean your husband -- surround yourself with women who encourage you to honor him. Never compare him to another man or look to another man to meet your needs. Run from such temptations. Don't stop flirting with him or preparing for special surprise alone times. Give him your best smiles. D on't take him for granted. Make sure he knows that you are his safe place and that he never needs to worry that you will betray him in any way. Ok, let's get real. This is usually very hard work. Because our hearts are wired to be totally selfish. Here is the hope.
What God commands, He equips us to do.
Remember, dear friend, a life of faith is not a sprint -- it's a marathon. I guarantee that your investment will reap eternal rewards.
Love,
Sharon Betters