Never Boring

Life with kids is never boring. You really never know what is going to come out of their mouth. The ways that they think are so simple and refreshing! No wonder Jesus reprimended the disciples for trying to shoo them away. He too saw the simplistice faith in them. And I can imagine that He laughed at the funny things they came up with as well.

Living in a household of children there are plenty of funny moments which make the not so funny moments more bearable :) But too many times I forget or choose to be too 'busy' or 'grumpy' to cherish and value those times. There have even been things that at the moment seem disasterous but can be really funny if I would look at it through different eyes :) and a different attitude. I find this hard though, and many times I fail and get upset instead of just laughing. Now I am not talking about laughing at your child's disobedience...but rather things they do in childishness...things that they do because they don't know better.

This happened that other day with Zachary...I can't remember right now what the situation was (call it pregnant brain, or granny brain:) but I do remember he came with this horrified look on his face and just as I was ready to get upset at him...I looked at one of the older girls and instead of getting upset we burst out laughing :) And then he looked at us with this priceless look on his face... a look of "is she really laughing." Then he gave me this little grin that made my heart melt. His grin said, "I know that was an absurd thing to do and I have learned my lesson." But this was a decision I had to make. Too often, because our child's childish actions usually causes me more work or more clean up or something...I tend to get annoyed. But I am working on my response, my first response. They are learning, learning how to do things and what not to do. But more importantly they are learning character from their mama. Personally I want them to see the fruits of the Spirit in my life....patience, gentleness, kindness, self-control.....

We've had butter on the wall, kids in the bathtub fully clothed, bread over, over and over risen, gum in the hair, boots stuck in a snow bank...or worse yet, in manure, broken eggs in pockets, way too much relish made, self-done hair cuts, upside down kid with pants stuck in a tree, recipe DISASTERS.....and of course many, many more. Do I always choose to laugh at these 'happenings?' No! But I wish I would. Yes it's okay to train in these moments, but I don't think it's okay to be all grumpy about it. If you choose to laugh, you will be joyful, and so will those around you. My husband is great at this. He is able to see the funny things in many situations. Really, I am horrible at this, and many times way to serious. My husband is refreshing to be around, his laughter is contagious. Joyful people are contagious. I have learned a lot from him....I have a lot more to learn.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones..Proverbs 17:22