Learning and Growing

The other night I was preparing dinner and I cut myself chopping some ginger. I said, "OUCH. Aaah man. I can't believe I just did that." I went into the bathroom to put a band-aid on it. Phoebe followed behind me. She looked up at me with compassion and she said, "Sowwy Mama, cut yoself...sowwy." I was so touched by her tenderness. A couple days later I was doing something and Phoebe looked over with concern and said, "Mama, be careful!" It is moments like this that keep me going as a parent. It fuels me to know that by the grace of God, we are doing something right. Thank you Lord for helping us to help Phoebe grow into the person You want her to be. What a privilege.

Of course Phoebe is two and there is still much to be learned...like self-control. We were at Nordstrom yesterday waiting for Daddy to finish with an eye appointment. I know. Good excuse. Anyway, we had been in the car a while and it was time for a potty stop. She had no interest, but to avoid an accident (me, not her...I really had to pee), I insisted we go NOW. Oh boy. Never interrupt the girl while she is looking at a purse! I practically dragged her to the bathroom, where she continued to loudly protest my request. As I restrained her by the arm to keep her from opening the stall and exposing me, she thought it best to let me know how she felt about the situation. In true toddler fashion, she began screaming at the top of her voice, "My boss...My boss...My boss!!!" I could have totally lost it and let her know exactly who is the boss. Somehow I managed to calmly explain that God is our boss and this behavior is not pleasing to Him. An instant answer to my prayer at the moment: "Lord Jesus, help me not to strangle her!" How's that for self-control? Ha ha ha. What can I say? She's two! And we are BOTH still learning!!!