Children

I have found that the older my children get, my relationship with the Lord has changed. When they were small, I know I have spent countless hours on my knees, praying for guidance in how to raise them. Most of my prayers were centered on me, on me learning what I need to, to be able to teach them how to be good people when they grow up, for me to have patience, for me to be more kind, more loving. Now, I find myself spending countless hours on my knees praying for guidance for them. As they grow older and start making their own decisions, I know I can't force them to do what I do, believe what I believe. So I plead with the Lord that He will stay a constant influence in their lives, that He will help them remember what they have been taught. The hardest thing I have experienced as a parent is watching my children make their own decisions and then have to suffer the consequences of bad decisions. And I know the only thing I can do is pray, set a good example for them, and love them unconditionally as I know the Savior loves each of us. Even though He may not like the decisions we make, especially ones that take us away from Him, He still loves each of us. His arm is still stretched out to us. His grace and mercy is still extended to us if we will just take it. This is my prayer for my kids, that they will realize this also and choose to stay in His loving presence.