Bloom (Five Minute Friday)

I've had this post in my head since the word was released last Friday, actually. My kids are away, so I have had to space things out to keep myself from being completely crazy while they're gone. 15 days is a LONG, LONG time for this mom to not see her girls.

Today as I write, I've had my kiddos on my heart extra. And it seems fitting that what cam to mind with the prompt is something that instantly brings my girls to mind.

This week, we're writing on BLOOM.  And linking with Lisa-Jo and the Five Minute Friday crowd over here.

BLOOM

My girls both learned about acrostics this year in school. S in particular has become very fond of them. So when I saw this prompt and wanted to write about how I can encourage my girls to bloom - to grow into themselves - it seemed an acrostic would work. Now I can show S I really was "thinkity-think-thinking" about her while she was away.

B

believe in them.   The first step to my kids growing into what they can be is for this mama to believe in them - and remind them that I do.

L

listen to them   Sometimes kids don't want, or even need, advice. But they always need someone to listen. A safe zone to share their ideas. A sounding board.

O

offer encouragement    Failures will come. Successes will come. In the presence of both, I want to always be my girls' biggest cheerleader.

O

offer grace    Mistakes happen. Poor decisions get made.  While discipline is needed, depending on the circumstance, often the consequences that already present are punishment enough. I have had many a day where i needed grace. And I want my girls to learn to give grace freely. To learn how to forgive. Even when it is hard, even when it hurts. It's not easy. Grace never is (at least for me). But is ALWAYS worth it. Looking back, I cannot think of one single time when I chose grace and I wish I hadn't.

M

make time to spend with them   This is so important to me. It's not just about being a cheerleader or loving them. It's about being intentional to spend time with them. To let them see the rest of this up close and personal. To know that they are a priority, and that their mom always will choose them. That they matter enough to get my time now. So when they leave, they will feel safe knowing that whenever they return, mom is still right here waiting.

Stop.