gratitude...

I try to make sure we are never late and that we have things done in a timely fashion in our home. So, for Christmas this year, I had to plan out way ahead. As Spencers passion for being a "cooker" continues to grow, I wanted to make sure we had the appropriate time to bake for Christmas this year. I made sure I had all the right ingredients, pre-measured everything and we spent 2 entire weekends making breads and goodies. It was a great time.

As the third Sunday of advent quickly approached, I made the final adjustments to all of the breads we were giving her teachers, both Sunday school and Kindergarten. Spencer was SO proud to hand out her gifts to the men and women who pour into her life on a daily and weekly basis.

As one conversation went:
S: "Merry Christmas! Here's your present, I made it myself!"
teacher: "Oh, thank you, Spencer! I can't wait to enjoy it. Did your mommy make it with you?"
S: "She helped me."

Spencer was so excited to share in the Christmas spirit to show gratitude to her teachers and leaders. To give them, even something so small as 2 mini loaves of pumpkin/zucchini and cinnamon bread. Something to acknowledge the time and effort they put into her life. She may not be able to put those words on paper, but as her mother, that's why I took that time to bake.

I waited until after Christmas to write this, for obvious reasons. However, I know I have a number of younger mothers that read this. Here's my question: When do we STOP acknowledging the people that pour into our kids lives?

I can remember my mother getting things together for my elementary teachers and Sunday school teachers. However, the minute I entered the 7th grade, I can't. And, guess what, once I hit the 7th grade...I was a beast to deal with. Yet, those teachers, youth pastors, Sunday school teachers and confirmation teachers were some of the biggest folks in my life to shape and mold me into the woman I am today. And, we simply forgot about them during the season where we lavish over each other.

When do we stop acknowedging the adults that are working tirelessly for our teenagers? The adolecent years are critical and those adults are dealing with our students on a daily and/or weekly basis for 7 years, if not longer if you actually take time to follow up with college students.  Are we thankful for our middle and high school teachers, youth pastors, Sunday school teachers, confirmation teachers, CCD teachers, you fill in the blank?

And, does our thanks go beyond a pat on the back?

When working with teenagers comes with a cup of coffee cemented in to our hands, let's take the time to NOT step back from parenting once our children are in the middle school/high school years. Let's press in and continue to acknowledge the many folks who wake up at night thinking about our children. Let's remember the folks who's heart breaks for our children when we know they have taken a "wrong turn". Let's acknowledge our people who love our children unconditionally and want and pray for the Lord to do mighty things in our kids lives.

Let's not forget gratitude.