Jonathan and I are realizing that being helpful is very important to Charlie’s mental health. He fusses and frets when we are trying to get a job done, but as soon as he has a related task to do all is again right in the world. Sometimes letting Charlie help is a joy. Sometimes it means means letting go of efficiency, which can be hard on the die-hard optimizers that we are.
Laundry is a prime example….I took a picture story the other day. Try not to count, as I was at the time, all the extra effort and minutes that it took for Charlie to ‘help’ me! Because once we were done, his little chest puffed up and there was an important swagger in his walk all the way back up those stairs!
I’m realizing that the struggle between my own convenience and loving someone else is actually a life lesson I need to learn. This is good, this is God disciplining me, and I am learning. It makes me truly be in awe that the Lord lets us, no, wants us to help him in bringing the kingdom of God. Wouldn’t it be so much easier—so much more convenient-- for him to just do it for us? Yet wouldn’t we miss out on SO much learning about who He is?! How he loves us! Thank goodness it is much better than I love Charlie, I’m thinking!
2 comments:
I love the tip-toed reaches! Thanks for learning with Charlie, Keren!
Very cute. And yes, what a struggle as mom and a good revelation about God. I hadn't really made that connection as thoroughly as you put it. Thank you.
Peter loves to help too. Actually, we've moved on to "I do it all by myself?" It's very challenging to the patience. And often adorable. It's best when we are not on a deadline. Sometimes we're on a deadline. Banks don't stay open late just because your kid had to put on their own shoes, etc. Those are not fun moments around here.
Thanks for sharing Charlie with us.
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