I give a sideways glance at the girl sitting beside me in church. Her brown eyes behind blue-rimmed glasses stare straight ahead, her mind seemingly focused on the preacher and his words. Her Bible lays open in her lap, her finely-shaped hands resting peacefully atop its pages.
Oh, that I could be a mind reader, to know the thoughts that stream across her consciousness. Is she pondering the message, considering the Scriptures, or has she slipped off to another place, where her imagination runs free or some other event occupies her attention?
I pray that she’s tuned in, that these truths from God’s Word are penetrating her heart, giving her comfort, building her faith, growing her soul. While I long to nudge her side, catch her glance, earn a smile, instead I focus my own heart. After all, our hopes and dreams for this precious daughter is that she’s listening, learning and ever developing into a young lady with whom God will be pleased.
This is something I often wonder with my daughter too… What is she thinking? What dreams occupy her thoughts? Something else I often wonder about is whether or not I am the kind of mother who she can talk to about these things if she wants… I don't want to be the kind of mother who unwittingly shuts her children out by her attitude. Do you ever wonder that?
Clara,
Oh, my, yes, I do! I wonder if she ever hears words or phrases that she's never been exposed to at home and ponders them herself rather than asking myself or my husband about them. I'm trying to remember to react calmly and patiently when she does ask me about things and give explanations that are clear without being too wordy. My older daughter is currently quite sensitive to my attitudes, so I have to make sure not to show frustration or impatience when she approaches me about something.