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A Birthday Lesson

April 12, 2011 by Tracey 12 Comments

Several afternoons last week, my two daughters disappeared into the playroom. I was forbidden to enter as they crafted decorations for the dining room in honor of my birthday on Thursday. They were as excited as if it had been their own celebration, with my eight-year-old exclaiming several times, “Mom, this is going to be your best birthday ever!”

That morning, homemade cards and confetti littered the table, along with a scrapbook my ten-year-old created using some of her favorite photos.


The time they took to form plans, the work that went into making each item, and the desire they had to please me was worth far more than any gift they could have purchased.

While I’d heard similar sentiments from my own parents when I was growing up, I often just thought they were being nice. Now I know they spoke the truth.


That’s the way things are when our relationships are at their best. A generous act is done with no thought of repayment, only of the other person’s enjoyment.


It’s true with spouses, with parents, with children – with God.


May the lesson sink deep into my heart. As my children pleased me beyond belief, so may I seek to do those things that please God – not to earn His love, which I already have beyond measure, but to show the depths of my love for Him.

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Filed Under: Parent

Comments

  1. Nikki says

    April 12, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Happy belated birthday! And your daughters did a great job with the scrapbook, and what a wonderful gift it was!

    Reply
  2. Mrs. Stam says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Happy birthday and what a sweet blessing 🙂

    Reply
  3. Katie says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    Happy belated birthday, Tracey!! How precious, and, yes, homemade/heartmade gifts are the very best!!! This is a testament to the living out of Proverbs 31 in your life…what a beautiful display of verse 28!! Thanks for sharing, friend!

    Reply
  4. Tracey says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    Katie,

    Thank you, Katie – for the birthday wishes as well as the kind words!

    I do feel that I fail often in parenting, whether through showing frustration with our children, failing to teach them proper homemaking skills, not spending sufficient time in prayer for them – the list goes on and on. However, I am so thankful that their hearts are tender towards me and I only pray that our relationship will continue to grow in this way in the years to come.

    Reply
  5. Raise Them Up says

    April 12, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    Awwe! That really is true! I tell my boys all the time, the best gift you could give me is a hug. 🙂

    Happy (belated) Birthday!

    Reply
  6. Beth says

    April 12, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    That is SO sweet! Your girls are such a blessing! Happy belated birthday!!

    Reply
  7. Homeschool on the Croft says

    April 12, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Happy Birthday. That is soooo precious! And, as you say, the love they put into it goes beyond anything that could have been bought. Lovely!

    Reply
  8. h. rae says

    April 12, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    So precious! Happy birthday to you!!

    Reply
  9. Clara says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:05 am

    Oh, Happy Birthday, Tracey! May the Lord bless you with many precious memories and much joy in this new year of your life!

    And how precious that your girls took time to prepare surprises for you – your post brought tears to my eyes – so sweet! Children are SUCH a delight!

    Reply
  10. Melissa says

    April 13, 2011 at 2:47 am

    Happy (Belated) Birthday, Tracey! How precious it is to receive such a meaningful gift from your girls. I bet you were over the moon!!!

    Reply
  11. Aurie says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:25 am

    What wonderful gifts your girls gave you!! I love that they figured out what you would like and then went ahead and made them 🙂

    Precious memories!

    Reply
  12. Jennifer @ Just Peachy in Dixie says

    April 15, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    Happy belated birthday! That is so sweet of your girls!

    Jennifer

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Tracey, wife and mom to two teenage girls. I seek to help Christian moms raise children who know, love, and serve God by sharing Biblical wisdom, helpful tips, and practical advice. Read More…

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