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For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. (Psalm 100:5)

A lot of ink has been spilled about good parenting. I am sure I cannot add one JOT. Looking back on my parenting makes me wince. A friend of mine, some of you know her, named Jean Rupprecht, wrote an article for a mother's magazine. The title was "I was a Perfect Parent, until I became a mother."

I can't tell you how many times that title flashed before my eyes, as I parented my children. I can tell you it did not cross my mind when I did things well....only when I did things poorly!!

Such as the time when Elizabeth was 2 1/2. She answered her little play phone often one morning. Each time she answered, she padded her little feet over to our wall calendar.

"Nmnmnmnmn,nmbmnmbmn," she would say as she looked at the calendar, shaking her head yes, no, shrugging her shoulders, yes, no, saying who in the world knows what, then finally nodding and saying distinctly, "OK, GOOD, BYE BYE."
Whew, I thought. That's me. I tried to rely more on my answering machine. I did not do too well.
Or the time when she was 5 or maybe 15, or maybe 5 going on 15. I told her

"Mommies make mistakes. I am sorry. Please forgive me."

And she answered, " It's ok, mommy I know I have to see the things you do and then decide if I should to them too, or do the opposite."
If I was a movie and she was a movie critic, I am pretty sure that was a one thumb up one thumb down.
But there was fruit. I don't know really how much was caught, how much was taught, but I suspect the fruit was The Lord's.
Proverbs tells us to Commit your works to the God, and your works will be established.

Elizabeth you have always been a practical, sensible girl, feet squarely placed on the ground. You never saw the sense of buying two shirts when one would do. You always showed great patience and mercy with your little brother. This was never more evident than when the 2 of you played Old Maid. David would cry if he lost, so you somehow always arranged to be left with the old maid in your hand. How you did this is anyone's guess, but no doubt this is why you broke out in a sweat when you played. You have always loved children.
I think practicality, patience, and love, and erring in the side of mercy are probably the best characteristics for a parent.
You will not be perfect, but that is all right. We have a God who is good. His unfailing love continues forever. God has shown His unfailing faithfulness to my family, and I can trust that His faithfulness will continue to each generation that comes after me.

That started with you and David, and now will include the family you and Matthew have begun.
Father, I love Psalm 139 which tells us that You have knit us in the womb. As a knitter I know what that means. When I knit I have touched every single stitch of the garment and am intimately familiar with every stitch.Thank you Father for knowing my children with that intimacy and for knitting this baby in Elizabeth's womb as well.