Posted in Mothering
|
Since I'm The Mommy, I have the honor
and priviledge (really, it is both. It just doesn't always feel like
it) of being the one to carry out most of the training that goes on
with our little ones. Jimmy and I will have our occasional Staff
Meeting where we will discuss the different strengths and weaknesses of
each child and come up with the "how's" of helping them to excell still
more in those strengths and work through those weaknesses (and
eventually - prayerfully - out of them). Each of our children have many strengths and each of them have a few weaknesses... today I'm going to write about our Sam and I'm just going to say it out loud... Sam is lazy. Pathetically lazy. He just is. All the parenting books tell me to "Just give them jobs! Preschoolers LOVE to help!". Travis? Yes. Caroline? Can empty a drier like no other toddler. Sam? It takes him about 23 minutes, many reminders, a CD of silly songs, a CD of hymns and a few "reminder swats" to trudge through the cruel task of emptying the silverware basket from the dishwasher. All the while crying for someone to "Plleeaassee help me!". I feel like I've tried everything over the past month (since we finally allowed ourselves to acknowledge that it was, in fact, sin) to teach him about how we are created to work and how much our family needs his contribution and how much God loves it when we serve others with a happy heart... We pray together in the morning that God would give him cheerfulness and he really does seem to be ready and willing to be joyful. Then the time comes for the dreaded dishwasher (and it's not just that chore because I wondered if he just really hated that job - it's ANY task or job). After several weeks of the aforementioned routine, I honestly felt like just throwing in the towel and doing it myself. It would be so much more peaceful (and quick!). This past Monday was the real kicker. After they had all gone to bed I confessed to Jimmy that I felt like a complete failure with Sam and that, certainly, I must be doing things all wrong with him because not only do I not see any improvement but it seems to be getting worse! Like the sweet husband that he is, he reminded me to "not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Gal 6:9) It was encouraging (mostly just to know that he didn't agree with my self-evaluation), but I wasn't sure that it would actually be true for us.... Yesterday morning began just like any other. We snuggled, read a few books, got everyone dressed, ate some breakfast then, holding my breath and preparing for battle (a gentle and loving battle, of course), set out for dishwasher duty. Sam cheerfully got the chair that he stands on. Then cheerfully retrieved the silverware basket from the dishwasher. Then cheerfully (and quickly!) put it all away! And what's more, Travis had to make a pit stop in the middle of doing his part and Sam finished Travis' part for him before he got back! Cheerfully!! LAter in the day he still had some cheerfulness left over for washcloth folding (another dreaded event). He received much praise and many "thank you's" and I made a huge deal of telling daddy all about it over dinner, where he received even more praise. Now, I'm not going to count my chickens, but today brought cheerfulness again. There is certainly a light at the end of the tunnel. And isn't that just like the Lord to give us a little glimmer of hope, just when your "doing good" seems way too hard? I am very grateful. |
Comments
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by