Wiggling Toes

I knew today would come. 

A day I dreaded.  Something I knew would bring tears to my eyes. 

Today Melody realized she was made a little different and there are things she can and cannot do.  No matter how hard she tries.

Today Melody discovered her sister can wiggle her toes, and that she can't. 

It made her mad!  She wants us to help her wiggle those toes. 

And so we will.  We'll wiggle those toes for her as often as we can.

And we'll talk about what she can and cannot do and what WE can and cannot do. 

For, no matter how hard we try, there are just some things we can't do. 

We can focus on what we can't do, or we can focus on what we CAN do. 

And, we can wiggle someone else's toes and bring joy to each of our lives in the process.

So, go find someone whose toes need a little help wiggling, and do it!

You Get What You Get . . .

and you don't throw a fit!"

We say this to our kids when they want the purple cup, or the biggest cookie, or flavor of juice.  We tell them to be thankful and content.  These really are the very small things in life and we get frustrated when kids make a major deal out of them.

However, I've been pondering lately how we really act like children so much ourselves.  How often do we take the things that God allows in our lives thankfulness and contentment?  Do we really take what we get and not throw a fit?

How often does God, our Father, hear us throwing a fit?  

I listen to adults, I listen to myself.  I find we are often "throwing a fit" ourselves.  Oh, it may not include tears and the flailing of arms and legs, but it is a fit nonetheless.  We complain about so many things we can't control. 

I know I find myself "throwing a fit" sometimes aloud, but more often in my mind and prayers.  Complaining about what I did or didn't get and generally giving in to the poor me attitude. 

Don't get me wrong, there is a place for justice, a place for righting a wrong, a place for standing up for yourself.  I'm talking about the things we can't change.  The things that just happen.  The trials that are just a part of life. 

I think the real lessons of life are often very simple.  They are the ones we teach our children.  They are also the ones that take a lifetime to learn.  I'm working on this one along with my kids.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."