Mar. 6, 2007 - Little Encouragements

I so often find myself convicted by things I ought to be doing much better.  But it makes me even more thankful for those encouraging times when God allows me to see some sweet things He's doing in my girls.  Here's a recent one: for the past few months I've been bothered by the way one of my daughters has been responding toward a specific sister.  She just doesn't seem to *like* her - often becoming much more easily annoyed with this one sister than with her other ones.  I've seen her shy away from hugs and kisses from this sister, speak more unkindly, snag toys, screech when toys are snagged, ask her to go away, and a few other unsavory things.  I talked to her about it, and Matt and I have tried to figure out creative ways to help train her in this area.   Basically I just started praying like crazy for God to give this girl a special affectionate love for that sister.  And we've paired them up a lot - I tried to tell her she would be her special snuggle buddy, but I was rebuffed.  Apparently all of my girls think buddy can only refer to a boy.  So she asked if she could be her "snuggle-bunny".  OK.  So we started having them sit always together in family worship (often with one in the other's lap).  One night I actually went so far as to belt them together for a playtime.  I have to say I don't recommend this with toddlers, as mine don't have the coordination to keep from falling down and tangling up nonstop!  I ended up just sticking them together like that on the couch to "read" books till eachother till they were enjoying it!  But mostly we've just prayed and made an extra effort to visibly show the sweetness that we want our daughter to show.  And God is so good!  Today, throughout the entire day the previously annoyed sister was being so sweet and protective of her "snuggle-bunny".  If snuggle-bunny was trying to find a spot on the couch to read with us, sister said "here, you can sit on my lap".  If she was missing a slipper, sister said "oh, I'll find your slipper honey."  If she was sad, sister said "it's ok honey, I'll kiss you".  I took her aside and told her it made my heart so happy to see her loving and caring for her sister like that!  I am so thankful God hears the prayers of His people, and helps us in our weaknesses! I pray He continues helping us to be sweet with one another, and that His sweetness grows in us -between all my girls and mommy and daddy, too!

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Mar. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Rebeca

This is encouraging to me, as we're seeing a lot of unkindness lately from Peregrine toward his sister. I hadn't thought of any proactive ways to encourage more sweetness and gentleness, but this gets me thinking! And I do need to pray specifically about it too. God is good. Thanks for sharing what He's doing for your family.
Rebeca

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Mar. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by AutumnTerrill

We have encountered this as well when my daughter decides to boisterously prefer one brother over the other. Her brothers are 6 and 8 years older than her and love to help. She has, at times, adopted an air of preference and tells one that she doesn't want his help and asks the other to help her instead. (Usually she refuses the one who is offering and wants the help of the one who is busy) I don't know what is going through her head when she does that but I do work hard to "nip it in the bud" immediately.
I guess it's just sin at work. She is usually contrite when I tell her it's wrong. I remind the children to never prefer one over the other as we, their parents, do not favor one over another. There is love enough to go around.
I guess sometimes its just good to know this is 'normal' sinful behavior that we all encounter with our little ones.

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