My nephew came over for a sleepover and we ended up having a pretty low-key meal. It was just the way it had worked out. Normally I would have liked to prepare something a little more elaborate. As I apologized for such a basic meal, my nephew and my youngest son said that they liked the dinner. My son even proclaiming that it was the best dinner! Now though I would disagree, he was quite sure of it. As parents we often want to give our kids the best that we can offer. However, sometimes the best is not in something big, but something basic. Like peanut butter sandwiches and chips. Friend, sometimes we need to stop trying to have everything just so and enjoy the simple things. Tonight’s dinner was subpar to societies standards. However, if you ask these two boys how dinner was, they would tell you through peanut butter and Doritos-stained fingers, that it was delicious! Their smile assured me that even in those less than glamorous moments, things can still be great. The boys had full bellies and were happy. It had nothing to do with a fancy meal, but everything to do with being fed and having something tasty to eat. Friend, God did not call us to be perfect parents with everything just so. He called us to love, nurture, care and to direct our children to Him. Maybe sometimes we will not be extravagant. Maybe sometimes we will feel basic. That is ok, children need to see that not everything is extravagant; finding joy in the basic, allows for finding blessings in the small stuff too. Before we ate dinner, we had prayed over our food. My nephew and son praying alongside us. They were grateful for a small, simple, meal. They were happy and what I had prepared was enough. Take a breath friend, you are doing better than you think you are. For the best thing we can offer our children, is to teach them of God and His love and to care for them with love, just as God so very much cares for us.

Erin Fitts- Brower

Psalm 127:3

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.