Whew...Well, I couldn't let a "teachable moment" pass right now without recording it. I know I'd forget the details if I didn't write it down immediately. So here goes:
Keaton was diligently reading for school. I was busy sorting through clothes, drawers, closets, hampers...just basically trying to get organized, when I heard my two younger daughters talking about "stickers." My 5 year old baby said to her almost 7-year old sister, "No, Kara, mommy won't like us playing with those..." I didn't stop to see what they were talking about. My lack of leadership. So after the second time of Kendall telling Kara not to play with "those." I looked up, to see my postage stamps on their fingertips. Kara had run upstairs with her stamps, out of my sight...Kendall was caught, red-handed (or stamp-handed!) I immediately yelled, "NO, stop! Those are my stamps!! You can't play with those...that's bad!...Give them to me! Go To your rooms immediately!" (to my shame, I cared more about the money being lost than in how I treated my children...no grace) The girls ran upstairs crying and obediently went to their rooms. I quickly (by God's grace) humbled my heart, realizing how my anger lashed out, and went upstairs to find my girls. When I had pulled them in together I confessed my sin of anger and asked their forgiveness, addressed their sin of stealing for which they eagerly asked forgiveness. I was explaining that by playing with the stamps, it was like throwing money in the garbage can, when Kara interrupted me and said, "Yes, but the money says, 'In God we Trust.'" I said, "You're right, Kara, but what does that have to do with this." She said, "well, you shouldn't be so picky about money, you should trust God to take care of you." WHAM!!! Now for those of you who know how much I have struggled with fear of money/loss, you will find this a huge moment of God's grace to me "out of the mouths of babes." Kara had cut through the mustard and seen my true heart, why I lashed out at them. It was not because they were stealing from me and I was concerned about their hearts, it was because I was going to lose money over this. Mommy was getting a teachable moment from her 6 year old child. And although Kara had taken from me what she knew she shouldn't, I was the bigger sinner! Oh, I hope I remember this scenario thirty years from now when Kara is a mother herself! I am humbled and blessed by the Lord to have such wise children! They are a treasure and a means of grace from the Lord.
Keaton was diligently reading for school. I was busy sorting through clothes, drawers, closets, hampers...just basically trying to get organized, when I heard my two younger daughters talking about "stickers." My 5 year old baby said to her almost 7-year old sister, "No, Kara, mommy won't like us playing with those..." I didn't stop to see what they were talking about. My lack of leadership. So after the second time of Kendall telling Kara not to play with "those." I looked up, to see my postage stamps on their fingertips. Kara had run upstairs with her stamps, out of my sight...Kendall was caught, red-handed (or stamp-handed!) I immediately yelled, "NO, stop! Those are my stamps!! You can't play with those...that's bad!...Give them to me! Go To your rooms immediately!" (to my shame, I cared more about the money being lost than in how I treated my children...no grace) The girls ran upstairs crying and obediently went to their rooms. I quickly (by God's grace) humbled my heart, realizing how my anger lashed out, and went upstairs to find my girls. When I had pulled them in together I confessed my sin of anger and asked their forgiveness, addressed their sin of stealing for which they eagerly asked forgiveness. I was explaining that by playing with the stamps, it was like throwing money in the garbage can, when Kara interrupted me and said, "Yes, but the money says, 'In God we Trust.'" I said, "You're right, Kara, but what does that have to do with this." She said, "well, you shouldn't be so picky about money, you should trust God to take care of you." WHAM!!! Now for those of you who know how much I have struggled with fear of money/loss, you will find this a huge moment of God's grace to me "out of the mouths of babes." Kara had cut through the mustard and seen my true heart, why I lashed out at them. It was not because they were stealing from me and I was concerned about their hearts, it was because I was going to lose money over this. Mommy was getting a teachable moment from her 6 year old child. And although Kara had taken from me what she knew she shouldn't, I was the bigger sinner! Oh, I hope I remember this scenario thirty years from now when Kara is a mother herself! I am humbled and blessed by the Lord to have such wise children! They are a treasure and a means of grace from the Lord.
1 comment:
I love this story! And I DO know you and your struggle...so, I find it a measure of God's grace in your life. Out of the mouth of babes, right?
We had a fantastic time with you guys tonight. It's never long enough. We need to have a sleep over or something! :) Happy Birthday to Keith...and, let's get my labor started RIGHT NOW!
Love you!
Me
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