He did pretty well at our house while the parents were checking out yet another ministry opportunity and possible move to another country. Though our rules and structure are not part of his non-routine life, he went along with the flow, no complaints about the food or bedtimes, or being sent upstairs to brush teeth before school...but for the most part, I gave the boys a pretty wide berth.
But I've been noticing a change in him. The last few times he's been here he is more quiet...even sullen and unresponsive...last year he was a bit quiet at meals together and though not super social or polite, he was respectful. This year, LORD, I'm just feeling sad for him. On his last day staying with us, I asked him to let me know when he was leaving so that I could say goodbye. But he just left, leaving the envelope with money to go toward his food on the top of the stairs.
Our children are in part a reflection of us and our parenting, but SO much of what our kids are like is their own personality and their own choices to follow what we are trying to instill in them.
When i see kids misbehaving, or drifting into sullen adolesence, or showing disrespect...i get judgmental. Lord, help me to be grace filled and humble, not proud and arrogant about my so-far-so good parenting with my kids.
I pray for this kid Lord. Help him navigate the changes in his life and what seems to me to be parental neglect. He's a smart kid, but his parents are so wrapped up in "your work" that he's raising himself.
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