This Sunday, July 4th, will be my older daughter Tammy's birthday. To honor that, I would like to share this story of one of the important life lessons I learned from her:
It was a hot summer day and we were setting out to get our chores done. This included shopping; never my favorite task with a toddler who would rather be off playing. A normal hurried mom just getting through the day...
As I got Tammy out of the truck, I looked down and thought, "Oh gross! That sidewalk is pretty nasty! Someone needs to get out here with the steam cleaner. Don't they know how bad it looks?"
Gum and grease and spilled food and heaven knows what else?
Gum and grease and spilled food and heaven knows what else?
Tammy started skipping off down the sidewalk, then stopped and was staring down. I thought she was seeing the same disgusting mess I saw...
But only through a child's eye - the vision was completely different! She exclaimed, "Oh mommy! Look how pretty!"
Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter who is a great mom to her own two girls! And by being her mom, I thank her, and the Lord for the life lessons...
But only through a child's eye - the vision was completely different! She exclaimed, "Oh mommy! Look how pretty!"
PRETTY?!?!
What in the world was she talking about? Certainly not this sidewalk! All I could see was the yuck and crud!
"Oh mommy, don't you think it looks like diamonds?"
DIAMONDS?!?!
But then I looked again. The sun was striking the pavement just right and all the little granite and mineral chips WERE shining bright! It did indeed look like diamonds sparkling in the afternoon!
I was reminded to stop and take a minute to look at the world through her eyes.
So full of trust and innocence that she saw only the beauty. No hurried tasks to accomplish. No "To Do" lists to check off. Just seeing all the wonders of God's world.
I think I appreciate this even more as a grandmother.
I think I appreciate this even more as a grandmother.
May I remember to step back and appreciate the blessings each day brings.
And may I try to see things -
Through the Eyes of a Child
Amen
Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter who is a great mom to her own two girls! And by being her mom, I thank her, and the Lord for the life lessons...
People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Luke 18:15-17
Luke 18:15-17
(c) CHRobinson June 2010
That is quite moving. I would suspect that Tammy is still Ms Claudia's little girl!
ReplyDeleteoh my that was lovely, and so appropriate. It is very hard to remember how beautiful life is...far easier to punch life in the face.
ReplyDeleteI will look for the good all day tomorrow
What a great lesson! It seems we all as mothers learn this IF we take the time. I've always hoped that when my kids are grown they will remember that I took the rime to play and see things through their eyes.... Hope that I am.
ReplyDelete