Parenting

She just keeps pushing them, putting in the effort to keep them going, switching hands every now and then, breathing deep and pushing them again. This morning Hannah  woke up with an achy throat and body and she asked herself if she could really adult today. Then she put in a day of school, took them to piano and karate and gave the meds to the one who is getting past strep. She talked with their doctor and she postponed her own doctor appointment to keep their “swing” going. I asked her last night about doing something fun with a friend. She said “What would that even look like right now?’ She spoke twice last weekend at a ladies day and is gearing up to go speak four times at a retreat where we both will speak (and Colleyanna will, too.) Somehow she got one ready for a 59/60 on the Bible bowl test and she has three who are, altogether, doing 13 events at Lads to Leaders. Her house sometimes looks like a tornado has hit (like mine) and, on most weeks, a big colony of ants could probably live a long time in her van. She had to go around the outside of her house for one of the kids and make sure every window was locked last night before bed. Tonight she is vigilant with one who is afraid of the storms outside. If they only knew how big are the storms from which she daily protects them. (All good parents do this!) She travels four-plus hours (in a day) every other week to get the kids to an important appointment. She stays an extra 45 minutes or an hour after worship services so her kids can play foursquare and Frozen with the children of other faithful people. She has struggled through some hard things to keep them in the best academic and social place. Most of all, she is doggedly determined to give them the best spiritual place. She holds them up before God every day and night and she holds it together when I think I would buckle under the weight. She is thankful when I might be bitter; hopeful when I might surrender. I do not tell her enough, so Hannah Colley, I’m telling you: You are pretty amazing and amazingly pretty to the biased ones down the street. Papa and I are utterly exhausted trying to keep up with your crew and we cannot imagine how you must feel when your head hits the pillow for a precious few hours at night. I know I am biased in the biggest maternal way, but sometimes I have to express the big bias. I also know that your  job could not be done without the children of God who rally around you in a myriad of ways  (but especially in prayer) every single week. We are so proud of the amazing work you are doing, with His  blessings, in the kingdom,  through the three little people we love so much.

There are three more little people we love just as much in Jackson, Tennessee.  It’s these further-away little people who give us joy just as BIG, without quite so much of  the BIG-tired.  We are infinitely and daily grateful for the parents God has given Maggie and Ellis and Lily. We love them deeply, and we are so thankful they are so sufficient in Him and in each other in their Jackson home. The bias, again,  is self-evident, but we cannot thank Him enough for the kind of man Caleb Colley is; for the depth of his spiritual focus, the selflessness that characterizes his leadership and for the loving way He proclaims the precious gospel. We love what he writes, the great logician that he is, and the way he does it all with humility.  We thank God every day for Rebekah, who walks faithfully beside him and is the embodiment of faithful motherhood to Maggie and Ellis and Lily. We are amazed at the Bible knowledge she has put in the two little souls she’s already been teaching. She is the best disciplinarian mom we have ever seen and she does all this while organizing the women’s lectureship at North Jackson and writing books that are valuable to the sisterhood and putting together curriculum for children all over the kingdom, and speaking to ladies groups on a regular basis.  (As an aside, we are equally amazed at the artistic talent that she has given the kids, because we KNOW it did not come through any Colley genes.) 

I know it may sound self-serving to reflect and write about the spiritual qualities of these children I love so much. But, just because they are mine, should I fail to thank and encourage?  Anyway, if that’s the case, I don’t see why, so there…I said it. I’m so thankful that He has given me the inestimably joyful gift of children who walk in truth.  I did not do anything to deserve this gift. It is HIS blessing and the product of HIS truth and the influence of HIS people, but there is no greater joy ( 3 John 1: 4).

We can’t wait to make a trip to meet Lily. Did you enter your guess about her weight and birth time? https://thecolleyhouse.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=19056&action=edit The time is soon and this mammy has a place reserved in her arms, lap and heart already.