Amazed

I am always amazed at peoples reaction to me when we are out and about.  Today for instance we took my middle son to his Playball class at our church.  Upon arrival we are greated by the teachers whom both look at me and say: "Are they all yours?"   I reply, "Yes, Yes they are."  And the typical response came forth, "Wow, you must have your hands full."  Do people not realize how they sound when they say comments like "Are they all yours?"  Then we head down to the church library while we wait for Jordan to finish his class.  The librarian sweetly greats us as we enter.  I gently remind the kids to remember we are in a place for whispers.  And then we proceed to the back of the library where they keep the kids section.  We spent half an hour looking at books and enjoying reading to one another.  As we gathered our books and met the librarian at the front to check out. She ever so sweetly says, "Do you mind my asking?, Do you homeschool?"  Before I could reply my daughter states, "Yes, we do.  Mommy teaches us everyday at our house" I smiled and said "yes, we do homeschool" She sweetly replied, "I can tell" and I just smiled.  Rachel being the curious one she is asks "how did you know?" And the librarian got down at her level and said "because you and your brothers have been so well mannered and obedient while you were in my library that I knew you had to learn that at home"  She then stood up and told me that it was a pleasure having us in today and she hoped we would return next week during our stay at church because she loved having obedient kids in the library. 
I am so amazed that our culture has so fallen from what it used to be that children are now expected to be loud, disobedient and obnoxious wherever they go.  I am so blessed that I can have these precious few years at home with my kids to teach them how to be good citizens and Christians and that the effort I am putting in is recognized.  Even though I often get the "Are they all yours" remarks, the occasional comment on how obedient, or well mannered my children are reminds me that I am running my race with diligence toward the prize.  My earthly prize is that my kids will soon be adults and as adults they will AMAZE the world for God!