Sallie had to work last Saturday which left Maggie and I with a full day to spend together. Normally I'm very excited for this time because it's rare and she is at such a cute age right now. We'll usually do something fun like go to the park and swing, or maybe go to Chick-fil-A for daddy dates, or even go on a run. Those opportunities for quality time are always easy and enjoyable. That was before she started cutting two more teeth on the bottom. I think God in His grace allows us to forget the first two or three years of life because of oral pain alone. Bones shifting daily in a sensitive area I must use frequently for survival? No thanks, I appreciate the selective amnesia.
Let's just say it was a LONG day. We had a full slate of runny noses, gross diapers, and one or two more crying spells than nap breaks. By dinner time I was a little tired/annoyed/ready-for-Sallie-to-get-here-asap-so-I-can-lay-down. Several minutes into dinner, Maggie we hit a wall and had this exchange:
Me: Maggie, I need you to finish your chicken and broccoli.
Maggie: No. (pushing food around on her plate)
Me: Yes. See, it's good. Daddy likes it. Yummy!
Maggie: No! (pushing food onto the floor)
Me: Okay, then. If you don't eat your food, you can't have any dessert. What else do you want?
Maggie: Grapes!
Me: No, not until you finish your chicken. Just finish this last bite, then you can have some grapes. (Notice the desperation? I'm trying to barter with a 17 month old)
Maggie: No!!! (Flipping out, and pushing food away)
Me: FINE! No more dinner! (Also flipping out and hastily clearing her plate and stuffing food in Ziploc bags) WHAT DO YOU WANT??
Maggie: (In the smallest, cutest voice you have ever heard) Patient.
Me: What?
Maggie: Patient. Patient.
Whoa. Her response literally floored me. I was amazed that she could remember the times Sallie and I have asked her to be patient, which usually happens when we have our hands full and she wants to read a book or be held. I was even more amazed that she was able to repeat it to me in context and be 100% right about the situation and my behavior. I hit my knees and the conversation continued:
Me: Maggie, you're right. Daddy needs to be more patient with you. Please forgive me for losing my temper.
Maggie: Grape?
Me: Of course. As many as you want. Daddy loves you.
What a conversation! The power of this moment for me hit home as I realized that God has given us a child for reasons beyond what we expect. He's given us a child, not so we can change her into who we want her to be, but so that He can continue to change us into who He wants us to be. God wants all of us to mirror Christ, and to be transformed into His image. He will continually chip away at the rough edges and identify sin in our lives that's been hidden, overlooked, or tolerated. He might even use our children to it. I am happy that we're not chosen as parents so that we can raise children to be moral and productive in society. We're given the responsibility of raising them to be followers of Jesus and fellow heirs to His kingdom.
We have a Father who is faithful and loves us enough not to leave us unchanged or unmoved. God will continually sharpen and test us until the day comes where he gathers to Himself all of his lost children and perfects them forever.
