This morning was my turn to drive carpool. As I dropped the kids off I decided to run in and check the lost and found. We're missing at least 5 sweatshirts, 3 pairs of gloves and 2 water bottles.
As we walked into the school my 11 year old turned and said, "Oh no, I forgot to redo that assignment." He began to explain that an assignment he turned in yesterday was not done correctly. His teacher had given him grace and allowed him one more day but he forgot! Tears welled up in his eyes.
I glanced at the clock and realized he had enough time to quickly redo it. I suggested that we grab a piece of paper from the office and I could help him. He emotions were high and he began to argue that he didn't have time, it was impossible. I tried so hard to help him but he walked away.
I spent the next few minutes digging through a huge bins of coats, hats, sweatshirts and water bottles. I found a few items that belonged to us. As I was finishing I looked up and saw him walking toward me, tears streaming down his face. He said, "But mom, I'm going to get zero points and it is going to impact my overall grade." I've been thrilled this past year that he has been conscientious of his grades and my heart ached to see him so upset. I thought that maybe I could e-mail his teacher and ask for one more day, maybe I could comfort him with the promise of something special after school but as I peered down at my precious son I realized that the right thing to do, was nothing. It's called tough love. Yes, he would receive a zero, his grade would be impacted but the long term lesson was worth it. He didn't know that but I did.
He walked back to class with tears still streaming down his face. As I drove away, my heart ached. I hated to see my son sad and hurting. I began to question my decision to not help him. I longed so much to make the situation better. I struggled to remind myself that I was. He forgot, he needs to deal with the consequences and in the long term, it's far better for him.
As I pulled onto the interstate I began to think about how God aches for me, how He longs to take away my pain and make it better. However, daily He allows me to reap the consequences of my actions. HE loves me!
As a mom, I am thankful for the times when I see God so clearly through my children. I think that being a parent is 49% about raising my boys and 51% about God working on me.
As we walked into the school my 11 year old turned and said, "Oh no, I forgot to redo that assignment." He began to explain that an assignment he turned in yesterday was not done correctly. His teacher had given him grace and allowed him one more day but he forgot! Tears welled up in his eyes.
I glanced at the clock and realized he had enough time to quickly redo it. I suggested that we grab a piece of paper from the office and I could help him. He emotions were high and he began to argue that he didn't have time, it was impossible. I tried so hard to help him but he walked away.
I spent the next few minutes digging through a huge bins of coats, hats, sweatshirts and water bottles. I found a few items that belonged to us. As I was finishing I looked up and saw him walking toward me, tears streaming down his face. He said, "But mom, I'm going to get zero points and it is going to impact my overall grade." I've been thrilled this past year that he has been conscientious of his grades and my heart ached to see him so upset. I thought that maybe I could e-mail his teacher and ask for one more day, maybe I could comfort him with the promise of something special after school but as I peered down at my precious son I realized that the right thing to do, was nothing. It's called tough love. Yes, he would receive a zero, his grade would be impacted but the long term lesson was worth it. He didn't know that but I did.
He walked back to class with tears still streaming down his face. As I drove away, my heart ached. I hated to see my son sad and hurting. I began to question my decision to not help him. I longed so much to make the situation better. I struggled to remind myself that I was. He forgot, he needs to deal with the consequences and in the long term, it's far better for him.
As I pulled onto the interstate I began to think about how God aches for me, how He longs to take away my pain and make it better. However, daily He allows me to reap the consequences of my actions. HE loves me!
As a mom, I am thankful for the times when I see God so clearly through my children. I think that being a parent is 49% about raising my boys and 51% about God working on me.
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