Chosen & Grateful....Brain Freeze and All

"Wake up, Baby Girl! It's a special day!" She raises her sleepy head and stretches in response. I remind her that it's Fun Park Day for the Students of the Month, an honor she was awarded this month.

She totally had no claim over the title. As a matter of fact, she never thought she would ever know such an honor. Academics would not be considered her strength. She works hard each day to grasp what seems to come so easy to many of her friends.
She sat up, rubbed her eyes and quietly confessed, "Mama, I don't get it. How did I ever get to be the Student of the Month? I mean, nobody really knows, but I had a bad attitude with my friend last week. And I didn't make 100's on all my papers. I didn't think they would'a choosed me!"

I smiled at her, not trusting my voice to hide the lump in my throat. Her simple honesty and humility made me stop and think. How many times do we cop an attitude when we feel the least bit slighted. Maybe we feel we were a bit more deserving than the next guy; or maybe we have certainly been patient long enough. Pride is such a joy-stealer!

When afternoon came and it was Fun Park time, I met her there. She climbed off that bus with a smile that said "I can't believe I am here!" She gave me my favorite thing...a hug, and expressed her concern that another student's mom had confused the day. He looked up and explained that they thought it was the next day, so his mom might not make it. Madeline whispered that she wanted to share with him because he didn't have money for games or snack. I cheered her decision to share, and watched her grin as he accepted half of her money. She even joined him in an attempt to break the record for "Biggest Brain Freeze"...and she hates a brain freeze!

That's why, Baby Girl. You have a caring heart, a compassionate heart. You are a good friend to many. You want things to be right and you wish all people would love God and go to heaven. I'd choose you! But, then again, I already did.

Who am I? Who is my family, Lord, that you should bring us this far? Lord, may I yield any hint of entitlement to your grace. May I know the full blessing of your provision. May I be constantly blown away by the fact that You chose me.

You've Come A Long Way, Baby!

I hear it again..."Mama! Did you remember my tooth?", she calls out from her bed for the tenth time. My little one just lost another tooth. I highly suspect that she forced this tooth out prematurely, simply for the financial gain. It was not always this way......

She was five when she lost her first tooth. Only her K4 teacher can appreciate the trauma caused by the amputation of such a precious member of the body. The ordeal lasted a full month from the time the tooth first got wiggly, till the blessed moment of release. Due to fears, her world was somehow entirely rocked. Her diet changed, as she would no longer eat anything with more cosistency than pudding. Sleep was often interrupted by fears that she would lose her tooth mid-slumber and swallow it. Conversation now totally consisted of comments and queries about losing teeth. Our family and her teacher endured her fears to the best of our abilities. The whole thing finally went down at naptime in her classroom, much to her teachers dismay. It was an ordeal to say the least. Surprisingly, the drama continued, next to include the Tooth Fairy. When did the Tooth Fairy become a frightening force to keep innocent children from entering sweet & needful slumber? We stepped in and finally removed the tooth from her room and placed it downstairs, assuring her that the Tooth Fairy wouldn't mind at all. Finally sleep found us, and all too quickly, so did morning. Life goes on. We live and learn. So does she. Now a beautiful 9 year old, she still deals with her share of fears. But, thankfully, we have conquered this one. There will always be fears and trauma and oodles of drama. But each fear conquered is another step on how to trust God for each trauma that comes our way. I am so blessed to be her mama. God teaches me so much as a result. I love to watch her trade in her quaking knees for prayerful ones. She keeps my life so interesting and worthwhile. Speaking of interesting, I have an appointment with a Tooth Fairy to negotiate a fair price. Goodnight.