A Tight Fist

A scowl-faced girl with a tightly clenched fist stared deep into my eyes.

"I don't want to give him any!" she crowed.

I quickly prayed for wisdom. "But if you do, you'll never regret it," I replied, pulling my small, teary-eyed boy into the huddle. She kept her eyes fixed on me, refusing to acknowledge his presence. "When we share what we have with another person, we get to see their joy because of our kindness and that makes us feel so good. God made it this way so that we would love sharing."

Her grip loosened, knuckles not so white, shoulders dropped a little. The three of us stood in silence for a moment. I could almost see the wheels turning in her little mind. "Well," she began, eyes peering into her fist all stuffed with melting m&m's, "he can have one." She turned toward her brother and carefully plucked a brown candy from between her fingers and held it out to him. A grateful boy wiped his tears with the back of his hand and popped the m&m into his mouth.

She turned back to me. "That's good, right?" she questioned with raised eyebrows.

I sighed and pulled her in close. "It's a start," I whispered.

And off they ran, as though nothing had ever happened and I sat thinking about how often my tight fisted-ness has kept me from peace and joy. I had convinced myself that I give tremendous amounts of love and time to others--others who are easy to give to. But when I began to think about who in my life is difficult to selflessly give to, that caused me to wonder what God thinks of my giving. Is it all like "filthy rags" to Him if it's not with a cheerful heart? If it's not given equally to each needy one He sends my way? What about my cranky neighbour? My high-maintenance friend? My weary husband? I can see it all so clearly in my children, why not in my own selfish heart?

I bowed my head and opened my tight fists and asked the Lord to help me to give abundantly, uncompromisingly and selflessly to all... especially those who are difficult.

P.S. For all of you who are wondering if you're the high maintenace friend... you're not. I had no one in mind, in particular. In fact, I'm sure I can be one of those too :)

The Best Medicine

She just finished yelling, through tears, at her brother for carrying things around in her purse because it is, "Just for show! It's my shelf decoration!". Barely a minute later, she stuffed the cat into that "show purse" and paraded around with her all squished in there. I pointed out that she was being unfair to her brother by now using the purse herself. Her head hung low. Suddenly, we all noticed how that kitty was so content in her little ten inch square spot, paws sticking out over the edge, tail draped on the other side. We all laughed so hard, Oliver too, and all was forgotten. Grace, mercy and letting things go. When your day is filled with disciplining and lesson-learning, the relief of a little laughter is so, so good.

Gratitude continues:

514. for sunlight bathing my kitchen floor this morning

515. for the forecast of a warm week ahead

516. for a little boy who is found playing drums on my tupperware and grocery items

517. for a five year-old girl who takes schoolwork to the next level every time... looking for how she can apply it in other ways... amazes me

518. for friends who stay after the mess has been made

519. for sisters who are more like friends

520. for the way the Holy Spirit can change an ugly situation in a heartbeat if a humble prayer is offered

521. for cousin sleep-overs that actually help my day run smoothly (thanks, Brooke)

522. for Little House On The Prairie Box Sets (oh the re-run memories)

523. for Kashi almond bars

524. for grace extended from one Christian to another (when judgment is so prevalent)

525. for the hope we have in the promise... train them up and they'll return to the Lord

526. for children who remember to pray a blessing over every shopkeeper and doctor we know as we drive through our town

527. for forgiveness... the only thing that allows us to maintain good relationships from now until the end (what a release!)

528. for beautifully varied Canadian seasons

529. for a dancing family... play some music and we break out into movement :)

530. for children who are pointing out the fruits of the Spirit in each other

Sibling Revelry

A pinch, a shove, a little squealing of my name and I'm back to one of my most frequent jobs--Refereeing. Sibling rivalry? Well, yes, we have some of that. Doesn't everyone? I whole-heartedly believe though, that this doesn't have to exist. I haven't quite figured out how to completely abolish it yet but I'm working on it. My most often used statement is, "Don't forget, we're on the same team!"

The wonderful thing about homeschooling is that even though I may witness more arguments than some, I get to watch the most beautiful relationships blossoming before my eyes. These little ones of mine are learning to share out of necessity, to teach each other new skills and to love each other deeply. It makes it all worthwhile when I peek around the corner at Meghan reading to her siblings or Molly making a sandwich for her baby brother or Emily helping someone clean their room. I've heard this called Sibling Revelry and with God's help, this is what our team is aiming for--daily.