Through the eyes of a child

I have two small boys, Abram, 3 and Ethan, who turns 2 on New Years Eve. If you are a parent, you probably know the difficulties of trying to get your kids to share. Abram and Ethan have a lot of animal toys. Abram brought ALL of them downstairs and he played with them for the greater portion of the morning. When he got done, Ethan grabbed one toy and Abram was so upset! Abram was surrounded by at least 10 animals, but he wanted the one that Ethan had. I tried to explain to him that he had so many toys and Ethan only had one.

This "parable" has so many lessons that apply to me and may apply to you as well. The first lesson was to be thankful for what I have. I was trying to show Abram that he has so many toys and to be thankful for the ones that he does have. I think it is natural to want to strive to become better or the desire to have more. As a mother, I want the best for my children, for my self and my husband. The challenge for me is to strive to become better, but to remain thankful and content. Life is a journey....we don't "arrive" until we die! I can point out so many things I do not have, but I can look around and see what I do have. I have two healthy boys, a nice home, a husband who is faithful and loves me and God, Christian parents who would do ANYTHING for me and the list goes on. On this journey I will continue to strive to become better, but this time, I will check my attitude before it checks me. I will give God the praise and thank him along the way. "Psalms 34:1 I will bless the Lord at ALL times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth"

The other lesson I got out of this morning's episode was to share. What a simple lesson we teach our kids. As I looked at Abe who was surrounded by animals and Ethan who had the tiniest animal in his hand, I had to think of myself. Abe was so upset about the one little animal that he forgot other ones. I tried to get Abram to focus on the the 10 toys that he had. I tried to explain to Abram, that if he shares, Ethan can play with him. ALL ABOUT ME!! The nature of a child! Abram being three years old, couldn't fully understand and if he did he didn't care! As adults, we do the same. We or maybe I should say I, sometimes don't want to share...regardless what it is....spotlight, resources, money, information. As a child it is natural to not understand sharing. Through my children I was convicted of childish behavior. 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.