What Children Really Need

by September 24, 2015

There are moments of motherhood that are difficult. Life gets busy and the family suffers. We hurry, rush and snap at each other and wonder why everyone is so irritable.

And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37(ESV)

Then there are other moments. Sweet mama moments, when it feels like a little slice of heaven is looking right into my eyes. I see three sets of big blue eyes that love me unconditionally and see the beauty in simple things. I hear the squeals of delight when they finally understand a new concept. I enjoy the infectious laughter that spontaneously erupts at the dinner table and the silly dance moves that have only been practiced in the privacy of home.

Sometimes I get so busy with life that I miss the memorable moments. I want to remember the little faces my children make when they laugh, cry and sincerely listen. I want to remember the way their voice graduates beyond a toddler tone. I want to remember the things that bring simple delight. I want to know what they like and don’t like. I want to know who they call friends and why. I want to know what makes them feel insecure and what ignites confidence in their little minds.

Some days I forget to notice the things I truly want to remember. I want to be present when I am with my children. I want them to know that I am listening and that I am always there. It is so easy to get distracted. My smart phone is constantly vying for my attention, but God is tenderly telling me to limit my time and focus.

I often wonder what memories my children will remember and carry into their adult lives. Will it be the Christmas they got the one thing they prayed for all year long or the summer they finally learned to swim? Maybe their first iPod or guitar?

Here’s what God is teaching me this week:

Children don’t need presents. They need your presence.

This is something I am working on constantly and I know I need to improve. If you will join me in intentionally making eye contact, talking and being truly present with the people that call you mom, please LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT so others can join us too!

If you have a child who you want to give presence to today I would love to hear about it! How will you be intentional this week?

Love & Blessings,

Micah

Here’s where I am sharing this post this week.

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About Micah Maddox

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  1. I think this post is great bc it works for adult relationships also. I don’t have any children but it speaks to me bc so often today we are to busy with our phones, computers, email, facebook, the list could go on forever that we forget to give our undivided attention to those we interact with. Something is always more important. If we could all learn to treat every relationship with the respect that u speak of w ur mother/child relationship I think our lives would be much easier and enjoyable.

  2. Yes! This has been on my mind so often lately and the phone is what gets me every time. So I’m training myself, which is really the correct term, to put it away and out of my sight so I can fully concentrate on my four children. I don’t want them ever to think my phone is more important than they are! I dislike being attached to my phone and it is like this bad habit I’m constantly trying to break. Sounds so silly but I have never asked the Lord to help me regarding this. Thanks for letting me know I am not the only one out there that wants intentional moments with their children but can often struggle with their phone. :)

    1. You are definitely not alone in this! Just take a look around and there are people just like us everywhere. Living intentional this week! Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the conversation!

  4. I love this quote, “Children don’t need presents. They need your presence.” There are so many distractions we face as parents, and we need to remember to prioritize focused time with our kiddos. Glad I found you through the #livefreeThursday linkup.

  7. This is such a great reminder! I’m worried for the day there isn’t a toddler voice in our home! But… I’m also trying to focus more on my older children and give them my full attention when they have something excited on their mind! Live in each moment. Even though we won’t have a toddler voice around sooner than I’d like, I’m working on enjoying every moment. Much easier said than done! Thanks for the encouragement!

  9. Such an important subject. As a grandmother, I know I could have done so much better at times when I was raising my own children. But these truths are just as important for me with my grandchildren and as Jayna said, in all relationships!

  10. That is so true. Michael Jackson summed it up in his Oxford speech really well:

    “Before you know if you have red hair or brown, before you know if you are black or white, before you know of what religion you are a part, you have to know that you are loved. A professor may degrade you, but you will not feel degraded, a boss may crush you, but you will not be crushed, a corporate gladiator might vanquish you, but you will still triumph. How could any of them truly prevail in pulling you down? For you know that you are an object worthy of love. The rest is just packaging.”

    Something as simple and often taken for granted presence says more than words. It spells of love clearly. :)

  11. Please delete the prior comment as I was still logged in on my client’s blog. Oops!

    As a mom of 2 adult children, a teen and a tween, I can tell you that I often long to go back to the days when my children were little so that I can impart even more to them. Thanks for sharing at Weekend Whispers.

  12. Wow, you’ve hit me where I really need work! I am continually trusting God for the discipline to STOP what I’m doing and to look my boys in the eyes, to attend to what they are trying to show me or tell me, and to be ALL THERE for them.
    So well said, and so needed!

  13. Thank you, Micah, for the simple, but so powerful truth. Our presence is so important yet so easy to forget to give! We all need these reminders from time to time, even if our children are not little anymore! My teen is needing that time even more than he did a few years ago, but because he is so independent, I forget even more easily!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

    1. Lori, I love your perspective as a mom of a teenager. Time and presence continues into those vital years. Thanks for the insight!

  14. Such a good reminder for all of us, Micah. :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us last week at Grace and Truth!
    Jen @ Being Confident of This

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