Two Important Lessons

Sometimes those little lessons that everyone needs reminded of come out in the strangest ways. They're always the simple lessons. You know, the ones that we sometimes use the phrase "common sense" to describe. Sometimes, though, common sense doesn't necessarily come so easily.

Last night while I was tucking Hanny in, Boo discovered a hidden "treasure" under the princess bed in Hanny's room. It wasn't important because of the "treaure-ness" of it, but because it was hidden. As she dug deeper she found more of the puzzle, which happened to be a beaded jump rope that was no longer beaded and was missing one handle. It had, in fact, been cut. I asked Hanny for an explanation. She immediately responded, "Doodle told me to cut it..." I then summoned the brains behind the operation who told me that her sister had indeed cut it. Apparently, the Brain and the Muscle neither one wanted to take responsibility for the action. Boo, on the other hand, was just beside herself with glee that she was not involved in this one! We discussed a couple important things to remember.

The first: Think first, then act. It seems like common sense, doesn't it? Think about the consequences before doing it. Think about whether it's a good thing to do or not. Think first. Sometimes I need to remember this myself, only in a slightly different way. I need to remember to think first, then speak. I've been improving on this lately. My most recent (and ongoing) Max Lucado book is A Love Worth Giving. Each chapter is focused on a miniscule portion of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Obviously, the first chapter focuses on the words "Love is patient." It's sort of a given, isn't it? But sometimes impatience comes so much more easily. That's been my inner voice lately when I feel the urge to get frustrated too easily. Love is patient. Love is patient. Love is patient, not only for the first three times, but every time after that. Love is patient.

The second lesson: If you do something you know is wrong, don't try to bury it away with the hopes that your mama is not going to find out. It's not going to happen. Mama's got eyes everywhere! The same applies to all of us. 'We all need a reminder to take responsibility for our words or actions and ask for forgiveness. I can't bury anything away where God can't find it any more than my little angels can bury things away where I can't find it.

It turned out fine in the end. It provided an opportunity to discuss some important concepts, so it was put to good use. Hopefully the Brain and the Muscle will realize the importance of working together for good. Otherwise, the Eyes (Boo, in this case) will be watching and waiting to squeal! :)