Let Them be Little...

Let Them Be Little ~ Billy Dean or Lonestar

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me, you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So... let them be little,
' Cause they're only that way for a while...
Give 'em hope, give them praise,
Give them love - every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

I never felt so much, in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.
An' now you're teachin' me, things only a child can see.
Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is:

Please.... Let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

So innocent, a precious soul:
You turn around, an' it's time to let them go.

So, let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give 'em praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

Mmm...
Let them...
Be little.

B has been working such long days, and late nights lately... I have gotten a small glance at what it's like to be a "single parent"... and boy! Let me tell you... it's not easy, nor is it fun! (How do parents do it, when they just need 10 minutes to themselves and have no one to pass the baby off too?) ~ Anyway, it was nearing the end of a loooong day... and the closer bed time seemed to creep up... so did the end of my patience. As the result of said long day, in conjunction with KB breaking through new teeth.... she was being rough, testy (getting into everything she *knows* she not supposed to), needy, clingy, and well, plainly... a little stinker! She was pushing every one of my 'buttons' imaginable... and the more I tried to correct her/refocus her/help her, the more she seemed set on doing the opposite. I was starting to get quite frustrated - it was SO not cute anymore! - when this song came on to Pandora. Wow! What a way to set things back into perspective ! Children are only little for such a short time. Though I realize, as parents, it's our responsibility to teach/train them to do do right.... but we also need to be sure to balance that training with a bit of grace - just like the Lord graciously and patiently bestows upon us - his children. We waste so much time/energy getting upset over things that in the big picture, really aren't that big of a deal. Relax, have patience, give grace, and... just let them be little! What a beautiful, gentle [and much needed at the time] reminder!! And while some might say it purely coincidental the song came on when it did... in the words of Albert Einstein: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” - So, thank you Lord for that gentle correction of my heart!