One of my children once asked me, "Mom, how can you be so patient with small children?" It just seems a small child's inquiring mind backed with boundless energy unceasingly searches out for new experiences - and the poor parents are run ragged in the process!

In answer to that question, I shared with my own child a scripture that I often thought about during my own times raising our children: "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children" (Proverbs 17:6, NIV).

You see, children are precious jewels that God has given to us - and like a diamond, they must be polished through our loving guidance as parents, so they can sparkle and shine brightly!

And don't forget the other part of that verse - "parents are the pride of their children." Isn't it comforting to know? As our own children have grown into adults, I often catch them looking at Morris and me with "pride" for the love we have given to them.

In your own life tonight, you may be experiencing your own bout with "the terrible two's" or the challenges of raising teenagers ... times of particular frustration. Lift that situation up to God in prayer right now.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for my child, (name), and lift up these moments of frustration to You right now. Lord, I know that You have given me (name) to mold into a precious jewel, and I thank You for that. I pray that as (name) grows; they will look back upon my love with "pride." Lord, I ask these things in Jesus' Name. Amen.