Lessons Learned from Our Children

I hope that is no secret that I am a Christian. It certainly isn't something that I EVER want to hide! It is actually something that I wish and hope for anyone that would ever read this blog. Usually, my posts are light...they are great 'fluff' pieces on my family...the writing is meant to entertain...the pictures are full of the fun we have had. But today, I want to post something just a little different. I want to tell you the AMAZING lesson that Summer taught me yesterday.

I must admit, I often don't give Summer enough credit. She is almost 8 now...and drama! drama! drama! I don't enjoy drama...I don't have TIME for drama...and I feel I loose patience with it rather quickly. I have often thought that her DRAMA is a way that she will NOT be overlooked as the middle child! She was born with drama...9 weeks early...bedrest for 6 weeks before that....so why does drama now suprise me!?! ha! However, in the midst of all of that drama is a soft heart...a heart that I now respect more than ever...let me explain.

This has been a tough week for Summer. She has two friends who have turned against her...I know, drama!...but it has wounded her. She got into the van two days ago and told me her day was "terrible!" and that two of her 'friends' said that she wasn't their friend anymore and ignored her the whole day. Sadly, my first response was more like 'what did YOU do?' instead of 'what happened?' and it put her on the defensive all over again. Perhaps I need some lessons on mothering. :(

Yesterday, the same problem - neither girl would talk to her all day. She tried to figure out what had happened. To the best of her understanding, they think she said something negative to them while they were standing in the lunch line...and for that...they are no longer her friends...have I mentioned how much I DON'T LIKE DRAMA!?!

Anyways, last night Summer and I sat down and just took a few minutes to talk. I know the girls' parents...I know the girls...I wondered if I should intervene...I wanted to know Summer's opinion...I wanted to be her advocate, if that is what she wanted. I wanted to 'educate' her on friendship and what a true friend really was. And then she WOWed me!! She told me of a brief exchange that she had with one of the girls. She tried to talk to one of those girls...and from the best of my recollection the conversation went a little like this:

Summer: Why won't you talk to me?

Girl: You aren't my friend anymore!

Summer: Even if you say I'm not your friend anymore, I can still treat you like one.

Girl: Well, don't!

O.K. As a Christian...as a mom...really even just as a human being her response AMAZED me! I immediately responded with - "SUMMER! That is EXACTLY how Jesus would have responded!" I could tell her in the midst of this - God was showing her how to be just like Jesus! That brought a smile to her face! It brought tears to my eyes!

There was a framed Ann Geddes picture in the girls bedroom for many years that had a caption that said something like - having a child means having a piece of your heart walk around outside of your body for the rest of your life. That is sooo TRUE! I see what Summer is going through and it breaks my heart. However, what an awesome opportunity for God to shine through her. I found myself praying this morning that God would take this away from her...but then I stopped myself...and prayed for God's will in the situation instead. Boy...that was a HARD prayer!! It brings tears to my eyes even now. But I remind myself that God is faithful! He is right there with Summer and he can show Himself greatly in her time(s) of need!

I just wanted to share that you you. Perhaps it will encourage you! Perhaps it will challenge you! I know that it has challenged me. Let me also leave you with this scripture:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV