God gives you the children you need

I'm tired of feeling like I have to apologize for my son all the time. It's mostly to strangers, because they think he doesn't like them because he is slow to warm up to someone. But he's just under 2 years old & it seems an appropriate response to me for him to be apprehensive of strangers or people he barely knows. Like a survival instinct. Sure, once you hang around awhile & show yourself trustworthy, he will open up, smile, high five & show you all his favorite rocks. But until then, can we all just be okay with the fact that he's wary of strangers?

My son is naturally a serious boy, especially at first glance.  But if course he has lots of silly, happy moments, like singing about beans & rice, doing flips on the floor, making up words that rhyme & dancing while playing harmonica. I love my Elijah. I on the other hand am almost the opposite. At first glance, I am smiling, laughing, & talkative, but I have a very serious, analytical side. I was raised to be a people pleaser. To always smile & perform, to be a good girl who makes sure everyone is happy. I don't want to raise my kids that way. Sure I want them to be kind, have manners, & be joyful, but in a healthy way that flows from their heart & not sense of fear of acceptance.

Elijah studies things & people. He doesn't smile for pictures or put on a show for the video camera. He isn't quick to laugh at people's attempts to amuse him & he definitely doesn't feel the need to perform for others. Deep down, it really is okay with me, but the nervous, disappointed, insulted vibe from people is what bothers me. I want others to see my son the way I do, as a diverse, unique & loving boy. 

He's just a toddler & is learning & absorbing the world around him. I think he's amazing & I believe his innate seriousness is a beautiful gift from the Lord that will be a blessing in his life. So while there's a part of me that wants to be approved of, & have my son approved of, I'm making a decision to stop seeking that. I want to model for him to live for an audience of One, the Most High. 

I love & accept him just the way he is, my Mr.Serious, my sweet Elijah Samuel. 

Do you love him too?<3