Who gets the last slice of bacon?
I couldn't help but smile at the burst of laughter coming from the crowded picnic table. The kids were making their best attempt at dividing the last pancake into seven pieces.
My daughter was leading the dissection. "What's the hardest thing we've ever tried to break equally?"
My two sons shouted in unison, "bacon!"
A friend who'd joined us camping for the first time looked at me with concern. "I can't believe you make them share everything; it's not normal. That's what's happening to society."
In all honesty, I felt like I'd been hit in the gut...this is something I do think a lot about.
You see, my husband and I have four children. They currently span between 13-19, but our home is usually the landing spot, especially during summer, so a lot of the time we have a few extra; cousins/friends. With such a full house, they do share their space and food with each other. Whenever there are guests they just naturally add them into the count when dividing up how many cookies each person gets.
I understand what my dear friend was thinking on when she made the comment. Our society is completely skewed and often takes from the hard-working to give to those who refuse to work! I never condone that. My crew has side jobs and what they earn they spend on what they want. In all honesty, I do catch them buying each other ice cream or slushies from time to time, but I won't apologize for that either.
You see, my goal is simply this...that I raise kids who think of others. If they can't do it in small ways now, they certainly won't in big ways! It pains me to see a grown man first in line at a full table and load his plate with most of all the good things without a thought to the others there. THAT is what is happening to our society. "I want it, so I'm taking it", with no regard for others.
My prayer is if I teach our children to remember they aren't the only person on earth, they won't have a sense of entitlement. When one sacrifices, they are more likely to recognize when someone does that for them. Plus, if we can't see the small needs of others how will we ever bring ourselves to think of their need for Christ and have a desire to share Him?!
Anyway, my sweet friend and I let it go. We both love each other and the Lord and have been friends long enough to know we are different as day and night; we'll never agree on everything. She was smiling later that day when all seven of our children were dividing up the work to tear down the tents and pack up.
Whew, this post got a little heavier than I intended; who knew. How we parent is important! I know it's a huge responsibility the Lord has trusted me with...it strengthens my prayer life!
Our big family can be overwhelming. Seeing us coming often makes people shake their heads and mutter "please don't sit by us".
It's summer, I get it...I walk with the dog at 5 am most mornings just to hear myself think. Still I wouldn't want it any other way.
Have a great day and....
** I DARE YOU TO FRY UP A CRISPY SLICE OF BACON AND THEN TRY TO BREAK IT INTO FIVE EQUAL PIECES.
He is most high and capable of far more than I am! Oh that my kiddos will love the Lord and live to serve Him! #seekHimdesperately
Mark 10:45, 1 John 3:17
My daughter was leading the dissection. "What's the hardest thing we've ever tried to break equally?"
My two sons shouted in unison, "bacon!"
A friend who'd joined us camping for the first time looked at me with concern. "I can't believe you make them share everything; it's not normal. That's what's happening to society."
In all honesty, I felt like I'd been hit in the gut...this is something I do think a lot about.
You see, my husband and I have four children. They currently span between 13-19, but our home is usually the landing spot, especially during summer, so a lot of the time we have a few extra; cousins/friends. With such a full house, they do share their space and food with each other. Whenever there are guests they just naturally add them into the count when dividing up how many cookies each person gets.
I understand what my dear friend was thinking on when she made the comment. Our society is completely skewed and often takes from the hard-working to give to those who refuse to work! I never condone that. My crew has side jobs and what they earn they spend on what they want. In all honesty, I do catch them buying each other ice cream or slushies from time to time, but I won't apologize for that either.
You see, my goal is simply this...that I raise kids who think of others. If they can't do it in small ways now, they certainly won't in big ways! It pains me to see a grown man first in line at a full table and load his plate with most of all the good things without a thought to the others there. THAT is what is happening to our society. "I want it, so I'm taking it", with no regard for others.
My prayer is if I teach our children to remember they aren't the only person on earth, they won't have a sense of entitlement. When one sacrifices, they are more likely to recognize when someone does that for them. Plus, if we can't see the small needs of others how will we ever bring ourselves to think of their need for Christ and have a desire to share Him?!
Anyway, my sweet friend and I let it go. We both love each other and the Lord and have been friends long enough to know we are different as day and night; we'll never agree on everything. She was smiling later that day when all seven of our children were dividing up the work to tear down the tents and pack up.
Whew, this post got a little heavier than I intended; who knew. How we parent is important! I know it's a huge responsibility the Lord has trusted me with...it strengthens my prayer life!
Our big family can be overwhelming. Seeing us coming often makes people shake their heads and mutter "please don't sit by us".
It's summer, I get it...I walk with the dog at 5 am most mornings just to hear myself think. Still I wouldn't want it any other way.
Have a great day and....
** I DARE YOU TO FRY UP A CRISPY SLICE OF BACON AND THEN TRY TO BREAK IT INTO FIVE EQUAL PIECES.
He is most high and capable of far more than I am! Oh that my kiddos will love the Lord and live to serve Him! #seekHimdesperately
Mark 10:45, 1 John 3:17
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