My children, my treasures...

Recently I gave my photography class an assignment for a shoot - treasure. It got me to thinking. What would I call "treasure"?

Of all the things I have been given in life, my children are my most precious and treasured gifts. There are so many lessons that I learn each and every day just because I am a mom. I learn so much through these innocent little lives. They are always bringing me to new realizations and new perspectives. The most fun I have is often in playing chase around the yard or a board game. The most content feelings are often in an hour spent "snuggling" on the couch and watchng t.v. together. My family is the anchor that the Lord has provided for me to help me stay focused and centered in this world. Those days come when I feel so down and discouraged that I just want to quit, but then I go pick up Rachel and she is so thrilled to see her mommy, or I go to get Noah and he can't wait to tell me he made a 105 on the spelling test I helped him study for. I recognize the Lord's voice telling me, "For right now, for this moment in time, they are your reasons to hang in there. I gave them to you and it is your purpose to raise them in My ways and to teach them about Me." At those times I am renewed and refreshed and filled with both peace and joy. They are my children, they are my treasures...