But I learned a lot from messy. I learned love looks a lot more like choice than it is a feeling. And love without grace is just infatuation. I learned that grace is truly what sustains me (and the relationships I have grown into). I learned that self-control is like (a borrowed analogy) a treasure in a field--when you find it, sell all you have to buy the field with the treasure. (Or something like that.) I learned that approval from the masses will leave you wanting--never be fulfilled by flawed people. True fulfillment is found in singular, perfect love. And I know only one source for that.
I also learned that you should have a dance competition with your spouse in front of the bathroom mirror as often as possible, you should make up words that make you sound crazy, you should eat dinner at the table with soft music in the background, you can do anything for a year, sacrifice is inevitable, plans never work out just right, laughter is truly the best medicine, true friends are a rarity, quarters are not supposed to be put in your nose as an adult no matter how funny it will be to a middle school student, beer & cigars with friends do mix for good "front-porch-church-time", fear is pointless, being the smartest person in the room is hard but being the kindest is simple...(I'll let the culmination of this blog finish the list, but for now):
With all this being said: dear sweet child of mine (can't help but vocalize that in my brain with Slash grinding on his axe--Gun-N-Roses reference for anyone lost on that one), my goal in this life is to build you up with my words and to put those words into actions. May you never be wanting for an example.
Why did I choose to hash out my parenting goals through this blog? Because it takes a village. I know there will be some pretty awesome morsels to glean--as well as dumb/super-opinionated comments that will just add a little flavor. Thanks and for some of you: no thank you. :)
