What Remains...The Love Chapter for Parents

While going though my address book { which actually is a catch all for little thing that I can't part with like homemade cards},addressing Audrey's birthday invites, I found this article that was given to me by the mentor at my MOPS group when I used to go. I'm sure most of you can relate- I sure can. I need to have this hanging out where I can see this daily as a reminder of what is really important!!!

Enjoy.......

What Remains

The "Love Chapter" for parents

by Cindy Sieler Dagnan

If I spend my days building skyscrapers with blocks, assembling cool stuff out of LEGOs and creating relationships with other moms at Starbucks, but have not love, I am only the siren of the kids' ride on fire truck, annoyingly stuck on hold.

If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have the faith that somehow we'll survive life's emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I save all my box tops for school and give outgrown clothing to the local shelter, and if I surrender my body to stretch marks and under-eye circles ( without the benefit of BOTOX , tanning salons or diet bars), but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient when someone isn't ready to use the big girl potty. It is kind when my husband has had a hard day. It doesn't envy my neighbor who drives the new sports utility vehicle I can't afford.

It is not rude, snapping at my spouse or children when things don't go my way. It is not easily angered at perceived or real injustices.

It always protects the smallest, sweetest family confidences; always trusts God to provide my childrens' needs; always hopes in the freshness of tomorrow and the bright future of family; always perseveres amid hardship and doubt.

Where there are sleepless nights, they shall end. Where there are diapers, Little League and dioramas built from shoe boxes, they will cease. There there is knowledge of baby care trends, disciple strategies and boy-girl problems, it will pass away.

Now these three remain: faith, lived out in my daily circumstances and instilled in my children: hope, of one day rejoicing with my family in heaven; and love, which covers a multitude of less-than-perfect moments.

But the greatest of these in love. It is what remains......long after I'm gone.