Character

God has given Aaron and I three precious, priceless gifts... Hannah, Isaac and Eli.  Before I had children, I didn't understand a lot of things.  I still don't but I think I have a greater understanding of love.  The first time I held Hannah after she was born I was overwhelmed with a feeling of love that I had never felt before.  I can't even describe it.  That love only multiplied with Isaac and then Eli.  Perhaps I have a vague understanding of God's love for me, His child.  One of the greatest joys I have as a parent is seeing character develop in my children.  Character, not personality (although I enjoy that too).  Seeing how my children respond to a person in need, an animal that is hurt, a crying child, someone who is not the same as they are.  This is what I love to see. 

Hannah and Isaac were watching a movie today.  In this movie some baby chicks hatch and imprint on a sheep, obviously not their chicken mother.  Isaac simply states... "this is the sad part of the movie.  The Mommy chicken will come back and not know where her babies are.  It is so sad.  I am so sad for her."  Later the chicken finds the chicks and the other animal knit her a sweater from the sheep's wool and all is well, the babies are back with their chicken mother.  It brings joy to my hear to see that my rough and tumble little boy has such a tender heart for babies and their mommies.  This isn't the first time he has become upset at a movie when the baby is separated from the mommy.  Isaac adores babies and feels compelled to make sure that they are well cared for.  I wonder how this piece of his character will play out in his life as he grows.

The other night I hurt my back putting Eli in his crib.  Hannah was unwilling to leave my side.  She wanted to help me walk where I needed to go, get things for me, hold my hand and make me feel better.  Hannah is always willing to help someone in need.  She has a natural instinct for this I think, a gift God has given her.  This is part of her beautiful character.

I look forward to seeing Eli's character develop over time.  Right now he seems to take great pleasure in making people smile... it makes his day to be able to grin at lots of different people.  Such a great little guy!

I pray that God will guide Aaron and I as we strive to raise our children in a way that will positively guide them to Godly character.