Sister has done a lot of growing over the summer. While a lot of it was physical, much of it was in maturity as well. The move was tough on her socially and her transition to her new school was not easy. She was picked on and bullied quite a lot and struggled making friends. By the end of the school year her outlook towards school and friends had become pretty negative. Honestly, I can't blame her for it. It was tough as a mom to see this happening and knowing there was only so much I could do to help. I met with the school and they developed a plan that did help some. I equipped her with as many tools for managing it as I could, let her know she had my support and could talk to me and prayed and prayed and prayed. But as hard as it was for me it was not nearly as tough as it was for her to have to go through it.
So I must admit that as the new school year approached I was feeling a little concerned for Sister and how this school year would go. For most of the summer the idea of going back to school held no appeal for her but then I began to notice a shift in attitude. She started talking more about school and seemed eager to get back. By the time school started she had resolved that it was going to be a good year and she would make friends. She seemed very positive, even excited, about going back and it did my heart good. And it has been good. She's making friends and enjoying school. The negative attitude she had last spring is long gone. The only real complaint I've heard from her is that she's not learning enough yet. *grin* She's even made a point to be friendly to the new kids in her class.
The positive approach Sister took to this school year seemed to come more from understanding and resolve that just the wishful thinking of a child. She's growing up. This is evident not only in her approach to school but also in our family. This Sunday afternoon she wanted to make a treat for The Man and I. She gathered everything together in the kitchen for her project. When I noticed what she was doing, I walked her through the steps of melting chocolate chips in the microwave so she wouldn't burn herself or the chocolate chips and then I left her to do the rest. She made chocolate hearts with chopped up walnuts in them for us because she knows we both love chocolate and nuts. She even wrapped them individually in aluminum foil so they'd look like the ones you buy. She said she wanted to do something nice for us because we do so much for her.
What a delight as parents to have a child want to honor us by doing something nice for us because we do so much for them. It gives me pause and makes me consider whether or not I'm doing the same thing for my Heavenly Father. Are my actions honoring Him? He has given me so much more than I could ever give my children. What am I doing for Him? Am I showing growth and maturity in my relationship with Jesus Christ as Sister is in our family and at school?
2 Peter 3:18 (New International Version)
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
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