Kids Are Such Plain-Spoken Little People

Have you ever been about to judge someone else's actions and then the realization hits you - you are guilty of the very same thing! Living with five kids has offered plenty of opportunity for conviction as I see many attitudes and actions that we adults have learned to mask or excuse. Nathan is learning to share, a very hard thing for a three year old, and he had opportunity to practice last week when the Tsadok family, along with their toddler, Me'dan, came over to visit. They were playing happily near each other when Me'dan toddled over to Nathan and stood watching him play with his train. Nathan generously held the train out to Me'dan. "Here," he said willingly, cheerfully doing what he had been trained was right. But as soon as the train left his hand, Nathan realized what he had done. He wailed in disappointment and headed straight to Maggie for comfort. Even as we comforted him, praising him for so quickly sharing but telling him that you should share cheerfully, we laughed at how truthfully he portrayed our human emotions. As you grow, you learn how to respond correctly in situations - to do what is right even if your emotions don't lead or even fall in behind you. In many instances, we appear cheerful and generous on the outside, all the while bemoaning inwardly the opportunity, object, or chunk of time that we have so "selflessly" given up. I found myself in that same emotional situation no more than a few days ago. I had even placed myself there voluntarily. Unlike Nathan, I assured everyone that this was what I wanted, while, on the inside, I wailed like Nathan over my lost opportunity and time. What a good reminder for me to beg God for His grace to change me from the inside out. Only He can make me a new creature like Christ where, instead playing the hypocrite and appearing selfless, I can sincerely, happily give of myself for the good of others. Thank you, Lord, for these many reminders of my need for you!