But, Mommy!
What can I say about Jack? He's a character, that's for sure. One of a kind. He can be a wonderful little helper, can have us in stitches of laughter, and is as smart as a whip. And, boy, does he have a mind of his own...a very persistent mind - and mouth. He can exhaust me quicker than any other person on this planet with his running commentary on life. Jack has a lot to say and never enough time to say it in. His comments and questions entertain, exasperate, challenge, and - like I said - exhaust. He really is the life of our little family.
One thing is for sure with this little guy. If I ever have a suggestion, subtle or not so subtle, he is sure to make his mind up to do the exact opposite. For instance, last night we were at the book fair at Jack's school. Any of you who are familiar with book fairs know that there is always a plethora of books to choose from and your child is always sure to pick the one book you don't want them to buy. So, we're browsing through the colorful and fun choices and I, like an idiot, begin to make suggestions. Well, naturally, as soon as I point to a book, he loses all interest. We continue like this for a little while and then I begin to pressure him to decide.
Chris read the book to him once before we left the church and Jack was thrilled with it. Apparently, mom is dumb and knows nothing and everything is a success. However, a few moments later, Jack and I are waiting in the dark van outside for the rest of our family to arrive so we can leave. We are sitting calmly when I hear a sudden scream. Now, I'm talking a scream that made me think bigfoot was about to attack the car or something. I turn just in time to see Jack's whole body jump, throwing the book in the floor, and him begin to cry loudly and uncontrollably. First thought - he's been bitten by something (you know, like a snake or wasp). Next - okay, maybe it's a bad paper cut (Jack is a bit dramatic, so that could fit the bill). I try to get him to calm down and tell me what's wrong, and he finally gets out in that crying voice that's so hard to interpret: "I turned to the page with the spider and it scared me!"
Now, most mothers would feel bad for their terribly frightened child. I, however, could not look at him or talk to him because I could not quit laughing. Once he calmed down (it was not immediate, or even quick), he began to try to convince me to let him go back in and trade the book for one devoid of all spiders. Being the mean mom I am, I decided to let it be a lesson we could all look back on and learn from in the future. "Jack, if you would listen to me from time to time, you might find that I actually know what I'm talking about. I tried to warn you, you stubbornly refused to listen, and now you have to keep that book." I know, mean, mean, mean.
In all the lessons Jack is forced to learn each day by his unsympathetic mother, God is always whispering the same lesson in that very mother's ear. It's annoying, really. Here I am trying to have a very motherly, wise moment of teaching or disciplining my child, and all the while I am being disciplined or taught as well. In this case, the Holy Spirit is echoing my words. "Amy, I'm always trying to tell you things and you stubbornly refuse to listen. Maybe one of these days you'll realize I'm God and I know a few more things than you and have a better plan than you." Ouch. I've decided that all the lessons Jack has to endure are my fault. He's God's teaching tool in this life of mine. He's the one who gets the bad rap, when I'm the one who really should know better. If only he'd (or I'd) learn.
Psalm 81:11-14
One thing is for sure with this little guy. If I ever have a suggestion, subtle or not so subtle, he is sure to make his mind up to do the exact opposite. For instance, last night we were at the book fair at Jack's school. Any of you who are familiar with book fairs know that there is always a plethora of books to choose from and your child is always sure to pick the one book you don't want them to buy. So, we're browsing through the colorful and fun choices and I, like an idiot, begin to make suggestions. Well, naturally, as soon as I point to a book, he loses all interest. We continue like this for a little while and then I begin to pressure him to decide.
His eyes lock on a book with a shark on the cover and he grabs it. However, upon opening the book, it does have colorful and cartoonish illustrations which include some bugs. One in particular is a close-up of an icky-looking spider, a creature that Jack loathes and cannot stand the sight of. I chime in with, "You probably shouldn't get this. You won't like the bugs." I then proceed to point to a very cute and entertaining book still on the shelf. That sealed the deal. The dreaded, "But, Mommy!" ensued and he HAD to get the shark/bug book immediately. I tried a while longer to persuade him to get something else, but Jack, once his mind is set and it is in total disagreement with a parent, WILL NOT WAVER. It was his money, so he paid and we went on our merry little way.
Chris read the book to him once before we left the church and Jack was thrilled with it. Apparently, mom is dumb and knows nothing and everything is a success. However, a few moments later, Jack and I are waiting in the dark van outside for the rest of our family to arrive so we can leave. We are sitting calmly when I hear a sudden scream. Now, I'm talking a scream that made me think bigfoot was about to attack the car or something. I turn just in time to see Jack's whole body jump, throwing the book in the floor, and him begin to cry loudly and uncontrollably. First thought - he's been bitten by something (you know, like a snake or wasp). Next - okay, maybe it's a bad paper cut (Jack is a bit dramatic, so that could fit the bill). I try to get him to calm down and tell me what's wrong, and he finally gets out in that crying voice that's so hard to interpret: "I turned to the page with the spider and it scared me!"Now, most mothers would feel bad for their terribly frightened child. I, however, could not look at him or talk to him because I could not quit laughing. Once he calmed down (it was not immediate, or even quick), he began to try to convince me to let him go back in and trade the book for one devoid of all spiders. Being the mean mom I am, I decided to let it be a lesson we could all look back on and learn from in the future. "Jack, if you would listen to me from time to time, you might find that I actually know what I'm talking about. I tried to warn you, you stubbornly refused to listen, and now you have to keep that book." I know, mean, mean, mean.
In all the lessons Jack is forced to learn each day by his unsympathetic mother, God is always whispering the same lesson in that very mother's ear. It's annoying, really. Here I am trying to have a very motherly, wise moment of teaching or disciplining my child, and all the while I am being disciplined or taught as well. In this case, the Holy Spirit is echoing my words. "Amy, I'm always trying to tell you things and you stubbornly refuse to listen. Maybe one of these days you'll realize I'm God and I know a few more things than you and have a better plan than you." Ouch. I've decided that all the lessons Jack has to endure are my fault. He's God's teaching tool in this life of mine. He's the one who gets the bad rap, when I'm the one who really should know better. If only he'd (or I'd) learn. Psalm 81:11-14
“But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes! Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him; they would be doomed forever. But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.”
Oh Amy - that is so true!
ReplyDeleteSoooooooooooo true and sooooooooo made me think of me and my Josiah. :)
ReplyDelete