Where Oh Where Did My Little Girls Go?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Posted In pray , rebellion Edit This 0 Comments »
There is an ever growing wave of rebellion that has become my daughter. She's gone from my sweet child to lying about her school work and failing classes for neglecting to turn in finished assignments while giggling about a certain boy and obsessing about how her hair could be straighter while she's wearing a wrinkly shirt she previously balled up in a drawer instead of hanging up like she told me she had done.
I respond with much love by putting her on restriction. I tell her if she's bored with school not to worry. She can bring home her books and I will create extra assignments to keep her interested. I explain in great detail the effects of lost trust and the methods in which she can earn said trust back. I even with much love require her to join the running club which is currently training for a marathon. We have update discussions, encouragement, and prayer.
FINALLY! I see the shift. She's not seeing me as the enemy anymore. I think she's finally come to understand I'm really on her side. She grasps the concept of working towards goals, and is slowly starting to work closer to trust and farther from restrictions. I ease off just ever so slightly, talking about how proud I am that I can begin to trust again.
Then it happens. Teacher stops me in the hall. There are five unfinished assignments this week alone. The major report that was due last week never was turned in, even though I asked her 3 times if she handed it in. It's dropping her 97% average down to 68%! Now understand, SHE DID THE REPORT! She just didn't turn it in, and now seems to have lost it...While the teacher is giving me the news, she is in the hall smiling and giggling at a certain boy as he twists his pinkie finger to point at his ring finger - a cool trick of course. I send her to the car, she goes, but comes right back to talk to her friends.
The phrase "where did my little girl go?" runs through my mind, but I remember how much I hated when people said that to me at her age. I remember how it made me feel like I wasn't good enough. I was supposed to be myself, but I didn't quite know who I was yet...
The cycle has been repeating itself. Just as I think she's getting better, she delves back into deception. Then the other daughter starts to lie about her math assignment...
I realize I have but one choice - pray. It was Jesus who died for all the mistakes I've made. It's His blood that saves me from the punishment I deserve. It's Jesus who made me a new creature, who washed away the old me and gave me a second chance. If He can drag me up from the ditch and not only dust me off but make me a bright shining light for Him, just think of what He can do for my children! I can't wait to see how He turns this difficult time into something to glorify Him!
I respond with much love by putting her on restriction. I tell her if she's bored with school not to worry. She can bring home her books and I will create extra assignments to keep her interested. I explain in great detail the effects of lost trust and the methods in which she can earn said trust back. I even with much love require her to join the running club which is currently training for a marathon. We have update discussions, encouragement, and prayer.
FINALLY! I see the shift. She's not seeing me as the enemy anymore. I think she's finally come to understand I'm really on her side. She grasps the concept of working towards goals, and is slowly starting to work closer to trust and farther from restrictions. I ease off just ever so slightly, talking about how proud I am that I can begin to trust again.
Then it happens. Teacher stops me in the hall. There are five unfinished assignments this week alone. The major report that was due last week never was turned in, even though I asked her 3 times if she handed it in. It's dropping her 97% average down to 68%! Now understand, SHE DID THE REPORT! She just didn't turn it in, and now seems to have lost it...While the teacher is giving me the news, she is in the hall smiling and giggling at a certain boy as he twists his pinkie finger to point at his ring finger - a cool trick of course. I send her to the car, she goes, but comes right back to talk to her friends.
The phrase "where did my little girl go?" runs through my mind, but I remember how much I hated when people said that to me at her age. I remember how it made me feel like I wasn't good enough. I was supposed to be myself, but I didn't quite know who I was yet...
The cycle has been repeating itself. Just as I think she's getting better, she delves back into deception. Then the other daughter starts to lie about her math assignment...
I realize I have but one choice - pray. It was Jesus who died for all the mistakes I've made. It's His blood that saves me from the punishment I deserve. It's Jesus who made me a new creature, who washed away the old me and gave me a second chance. If He can drag me up from the ditch and not only dust me off but make me a bright shining light for Him, just think of what He can do for my children! I can't wait to see how He turns this difficult time into something to glorify Him!
