Over
the years I have often watched with interest how parents treat friends
of their children. The friend spills milk on the floor and the parent
makes light of the accident and quickly wipes the liquid up with a paper
towel. However, if his/her own child spills the milk on the floor, the
reaction is one of anger and the lecture is on about being more careful
next time. I think back to my own life experiences and realize how often
I sent the wrong message to my own sons - that I valued strangers more
than I valued my own flesh and blood. Oh, admittedly, I would never
verbally express that sentiment. But, nevertheless, my actions said it
loud and clear.
I am going to share a little story with you, but, if
you are a parent, I would suggest you read this at a time when your
children are still awake. Otherwise, I am sure you will want to rush
right over to their bed, wake them up and give them a big hug.
"One day Jane was rushing through the shopping
centre when she bumped into a stranger as he passed by.
"Oh, excuse me," was Jane’s reply.
"Please excuse me too," said the stranger.
"I wasn’t even watching out for you."
Jane and the stranger were very polite and even said
good-bye as they went along on their way.
Later that day, back at home, Jane was cooking the
evening meal. Jane’s daughter stood quietly, very still beside her.
When Jane turned around, she nearly knocked the little girl down.
"Move out of the way," Jane said with a
frown, not realizing how harshly she had spoken to the young girl, who
walked away, her little heart broken.
That night, while Jane lay in bed, God’s voice spoke
to her. "While dealing with a stranger, you used common courtesy,
but why were you so quick to abuse your own daughter. Go look on the
kitchen floor and you will find some flowers by the door. Your daughter
picked those pink, yellow and blue flowers and brought them to you. She
stood quietly trying not to spoil the surprise and you never even saw
the tears in her eyes while you were yelling at her."
By this time, the tears were rolling down Jane’s
cheeks and she felt very small indeed. She quietly got up and knelt
beside her daughter’s bed.
"Wake up little darling, wake up," she said.
"Are these flowers you picked for me? I found them by the
door."
The little girl grinned from ear to ear as she said,
"I picked them because they’re pretty just like you. I knew you’d
like them, especially the blue ones."
Jane could hardly hold back the emotion as she
continued, "I’m sorry for the way I acted today. I shouldn’t
have yelled at you that way."
The young girl said, "Oh, mom, that’s okay. I
love you anyway."
"I love you too," Jane whispered as she lay
down beside her precious little girl. "And I do like the flowers,
especially the blue."
Isn’t life strange. We put so much effort into our
jobs, even though we realize that if we died tomorrow, we would be
replaced and forgotten in a matter of days. We go out of our way
to show kindness to strangers and casual acquaintances, even though we
know that they could care less if they ever saw us again.
We know the family we would leave behind if we died
would feel the loss for the rest of their lives. Yet, we pour so much
more of ourselves into our jobs and our friends. We wouldn’t dream of
yelling in a disrespectful manner to a stranger, but we don’t give it
a second thought when dealing with a loved one.
I once saw the true meaning of the word, F-A-M-I-L-Y.
(F) Father (A)nd (M)other (I) (L)ove (Y)ou!
Next time your child does something that upsets you,
hold yourself back and ask, "What would I do if you were a
stranger?"
Now, go and give your child a hug and a kiss.
Have a good week!
