It was a tough evening. The boys got busted eating sugar out of the canister on the counter. They later confessed to stealing cookies and even a few licks of ice cream. It was a very sad little set of boys who went to bed tonight after staying home from the pool and eating peanut butter and veggies rather than pizza.
We did our best to let them know that we loved them. We didn’t preach or scold after the initial confession. But we very sadly and gently informed them that certain privileges would no longer be theirs today. We had to set some very firm boundaries.
It was hard to do. No parent likes to disappoint their child or to take away their fun. But we did what we thought was best so that they could learn.
As I kissed their faces (some still smeared with sugar) good night, I reminded them that “Tomorrow is a new day.”
Sam’s shoulders lifted and he held his head a bit higher. He nodded his head and gave me a little smile.
They know that tomorrow we start over. God’s mercies, and mommy and daddy’s mercies, are new every morning. (And, most likely, they will have forgotten anything happened by noon tomorrow anyway.)
When I crawl into bed tonight and bury my head under the covers, I will be clinging to the same promise. When I wonder where I’ve gone wrong as a parent that my children stick their hands in sugar bowls and pilfer my secret stash of cookies, I will be repeating over and over “Tomorrow is a new day.” When I remember all the times today where I lost my patience, rolled my eyes, or didn’t give a child the attention they deserved and I want to lie in bed and kick myself repeatedly, I will remember “His mercies are new every morning.”
God doesn’t promise me tomorrow. But He does promise me that if tomorrow comes, it will be fresh. It will be new. And it will be full of mercy.
6.25.2009
That was great! You’re such a good momma!
6.25.2009
“His mercies are new every morning.” And I’m so very grateful for that. It is tough being the parent sometimes, but God is so good to reward us for our obedience in parenting. Bless you, Friend.
6.26.2009
Such great truth–thanks for the reminder in your (as always) delightful style. Love that closing paragraph.
p.s. thanks for the title cue re the tilde. otherwise I would have spent 20 minutes thinking “manana? like the song manah-manah? no…that’s not it. hmm…”
6.26.2009
Yay for God!!!
6.26.2009
If the sugar pilfering is their greatest sin of the day, then I think you’re doing GREAT. Of course you want to discourage it so it doesn’t happen again, but what great kids they are! I know you’re so proud!
6.26.2009
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Life would be so sad without the promise of the renewal of God’s mercies.
6.26.2009
Husband and I have always had the saying between us, “This time tomorrow.” We mean it for the hope and promise that a new day brings when you belong to Christ. That as bountiful His love is today in forgiveness, how even more so that He gives to His own continuing opportunities of sanctification.
Great post.
6.26.2009
Lora Lynn, Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment on my blog. I have no idea how you found the time, but it was a nice surprise. I met you at Sophie’s last year for Trent’s concert … you were expecting Willa at the time. I’ve enjoyed your blog so much over the last year, and I actually went back and read ALL the way through your archives at some point. You have a gift.
6.27.2009
I love the way you write about disciplining your children here. This post was wonderful!
7.3.2009
[...] Manana (Imagine a Tilde Over That First “N”) by Vita Familiae [...]