Childhood Memories

At lunch the other day I was talking with my friends and we were reflecting back on childhood. Several in the group recalled favorable events and others did not have positive things to share. This lunch made me reflect back upon my childhood. I remember good times and bad times (we all had both positive and negative experiences growing up). I often wonder how much I have forgotten. Were the experiences I have forgot favorable experiences? I wonder why I have remembered what I remember and why I have forgotten the rest.

When I look at my children sometimes I think about what they will remember when they are adults. Will they recall all of the times I played games with them on game night? Will they have fond memories of our walks together as a family? When they get older and share childhood stories with their future spouse or their friends will they be favorable stories? I hope so.

Neither I nor my children can control what they remember, but I pray that their memories are wonderful. I want them to remember a mother and a father that were active in their lives, parents who constantly supported them with all of their endeavors. I know I cannot control what they remember, but I do have control over my relationship with them and the time that I spend with them.  I am very cognizant of my behavior to ensure that they only see me in positive light.  I know I cannot play games and participate in activities with my children 24 hours a day (none of us have that amount of time or energy– we would be exhausted), but I do try to limit the amount of times I do say “no” to my children when they do ask to do something with me. Even if I do have to attend to other tasks or I am exhausted I do say “yes”. I do not want them to remember a mom that was too tired or too busy to spend time with them (Mind you that yes does not mean giving into their every whim and/or not reprimanding them when they do wrong. As a parent I need to do these things to help them become productive and responsible adults. When I say “yes” it refers to spending quality time with my kids).

Even if I can’t control what they remember as they get older, I hope my efforts do pay off. How will your children remember you and/their childhood?

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26).