Doing The Right Thing Is Hard

This week we had to teach Carlie that doing the right thing is hard. Hard as in crying. Hard as in butterflies in the stomach. Hard as in it is what God would want us to do. Ugh. Carlie took (asked for) a scrunchy from - all people - her teacher. She was so proud of this scrunchy, wore it around all night until Jeff finally noticed it. Once he confronted her with where she got this scrunchy, she informed him that Mrs. White "gave it to her." Upon further examination, it wasn't given without first being asked for. I know this isn't a major infraction in the life of a child, but Jeff and I both decided it was a time to teach a lesson in life. We explained to Carlie that you cannot simply "ask people" for things you want. It doesn't work that way. Do you go up to your friends and say, "I like her shirt, can I have it?" Where does that entitlement come from? If somebody first offers to give you something - different story altogether. Jeff and I came to the conclusion that she needed to give the scrunchy back to Mrs. White, and apologize for asking for if in the first place. Whew. Lots of tears and tummy aches that night. She laid upstairs and stewed for over an hour. My heart hurt for her! I struggled...was it really that big of a deal? But I knew I didn't want to raise a child who asks for things and expects to receive them!

The next morning we go into the classroom early. I was just as nervous as she was. Several times I almost told her, "let's just forget it." She was a brave little angel and apologized and immediately burst into tears hugging me. Well...I did my best to hold back the tears, but I definitely had some moist eyes. Even poor Mrs. White had moist eyes! I explained to Mrs. White the situation and that Carlie was not aware that she shouldn't ask for things that aren't hers. Mrs. White understood, but I think her heart hurt for Carlie as much as mine.

I am proud of Carlie. Doing the right thing is hard. Unfortunately, I know she has many more stomach aches ahead of her...and ahead for me as well. *sigh* Lord, I pray that I am alert when you send me those little lessons in my child's life. Help me to teach them Your way, and teach them that Your way isn't always the easy way, but it is THE way.