To start off I beg my son NOT to answer that!

I'm almost done with my working out one day a week !  I will have my $16,000 hospital bill paid off in the next 4 weeks!!!!! I'll be home all week with my extreme blessings!  After my day working out each week I run errands on the way home.  We live almost an hour from Wal-mart therefore if I'm out I do what needs to be done.  This can make for a very long day and I'm very tired at the end of it. 

This week I was in line to checkout at Walmart at about 5:30pm.  I was tired.  There was a family in front of me that consisted of a Mom, a new baby girl, a grandmother and a little boy I'd guess to be around 4 years old.  He was into everything.  He grabbed those specialty pencils from the display and proceeded to shoot me with them, he opened candybars, grabbed much of the display material etc...  He was loud and totally ignored his Mom.  She, or Grandma, would occassionally turn to him and tell him to stop and then turn away.  He didn't stop and they had no clue what he was really doing.

There was a problem with Mom's card and that took up some time.  I could have been loading my purchases onto the belt but little Johnny was in my way.  I did say excuse me a few times but to no avail.  Eventually Grandma noticed and told him to move.  He didn't.  She noticed again and grabbed him by the shoulder and moved him.  I quickly slipped to the front of my cart and started unloading (50 lbs salt blocks X3, 40 lbs of dog food etc...) and heard him say, "Wasn't that nice of me to move for that lady?" I almost choked. 

At that point the cashier asked about the baby and the gushing started.  Then something heartbreaking happened.  She asked about the boy.  Mom said that he was 4 1/5 and the cashier said, "They're so cute and sweet at this age(pointing to the baby) but then they get this age (pointing to the boy).

The mom replied, "I know, the thrill is gone at this age."

Cashier: The good thing is that next year he'll be in school.

Mom:  I know, I can't wait.

Grandma:  Then we'll have a little peace.

Cashier: But only for 1/2 a day.

Mom:  Our school district is looking into all day Kindergarten.

Cashier:  I wish they had that when mine were little.

Grandma: Well at least then she (indicating her daughter) will have her life back for a time before this one becomes a brat.

(Johnny at this point has walked away and is taking all the display from the eye care office and trying them on, then he proceeds to an empty cash register to mess with that and is flipping the light on and off - all going unnoticed by Mom)

Cashier:  Thank God for school.

Grandma:  Ya, let them deal with him and good luck to them.

I don't know about you but I was shocked!  I couldn't believe this attitude.  I was hurrying through my errands to get home to the family God has blessed me with.  I couldn't wait to be home with them.  I feel a little guilty when I get home and am tired and can't always give 100% to my kids  but to ignore this whole thing!

I count it a blessing and priviledge to be home training up the children God has blessed me with for HIS Kingdom.  Why does society look upon children as a bother and nuisance? Remember, we're not talking out of control high school kids (that are the product of this neglect for too long).  Why do folks talk with dread about "having" to go to a soccer game etc....  Yes, sometimes we're weary and have to use a little more prayer to get moving to that practice etc... but the look on the kids faces when they 'do good' and then look to you for approval is worth it everytime.

Ask your kids what was special about this past Christmas.  Will they tell you about a gift they received or about a 'moment'?  I did this recently and the answers were 'moments'.  Those times spent with their brother and wife that were able to come home this year, the older sister that spent most of the day with us, the aunts that traveled the distance to be here, the laughter, pranks etc...

On the way home I 'commenced to think' and asked the Lord to always remind me to look at my children through His eyes, seeing them as His unique jewels.  I need to see their strengths and their weaknesses in order to train them for His Kingdom but I need to see treasures.

When I got home the girls came right out to help with groceries.  One of them served me dinner that she had made and then they proceeded to put all the groceries away without being told to.  I did have to jump up when one called out, "Help!  I need a container!"  She had dropped the milk jug and it split at the top. Then I sat down and finished my dinner.  It was fantastic too!  I felt a little hand and realized that I had dozed off.  My youngest said, "Sorry to wake you mom but I needed to get your plate, it's the last one left to wash.  I didn't mean to wake you."

What tender hearts and sweet spirits the Lord gave these girls. I don't know why He felt I was worthy of raising them for Him but I'm glad He at least is still entrusting them to me for this season.  Yes, there are those days that are a little more stressful and things don't go right but to wish them gone?  No, I would rather wish them here forever but that shows my selfish side.  I need to remember I'm training them for His glory and His KIngdom and His plan.

When things get a little crazy and out of hand, ask the Lord to let you see these treasures through His eyes, for His purpose.  I bet it will help you calm down as well as see your purpose and value to the KING OF KINGS!

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