A Dinnertime Reminder
Yesterday afternoon was not a great one. The kids were overly tired for some reason, and both came home from daycare whiney and quick to tears. I was tired and frustrated myself from a long day of teaching material that I just don’t feel like my students are understanding. Chris came home in a ho-hum mood and quickly became irritated with all the fussing and crying happening in the house.
It just just one of those afternoons, you know?
At the dinner table, we talked with the kids about their days, but both were cranky and not wanting to say much, so conversation was like pulling teeth. Finally, Chris and I gave up and sat in silence while the kids moaned about having to eat chicken with “red stuff” (barbecue sauce… heaven forbid!).
After a few minutes of tired silence, Bean looked at me and said, “What’s in my heart, mom?”
I was only half paying attention, and so I mumbled without looking up, “I don’t know, Bean.”
But he didn’t give up. “No, Mom,” he insisted, leaning across the table and forcing me to look at him. “What’s in my heart?”
Still not understanding and not being in the mood for a game, I snapped, “I don’t know, Michael!”
“GOD LIVES IN MY HEART!” he cried out, triumphantly. “Remember, Mom? God lives in our hearts!”
Chris and I looked at each other and smiled, and I leaned over and ruffled Bean Man’s hair. “That’s right, buddy,” I said. “I didn’t forget.”
“Let’s try it again,” he said, in his very best teacher voice. “What’s in my heart, Mom?”
“God is in your heart,” I replied this time.
“That’s right,” he said. And satisfied, he sat back down and continued to grumble about dinner.
Sometimes, we need people to just get up in our face and point out the obvious, don’t we?
9 Comments
Amy VH
I needed that today! Thanks for reminding me, I love to listen to my kids talk about their faith. It makes it so wonderful.
Lindsay
Love this! 🙂
Michelle
Well if that’s not the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard! Good job Bean man!
jenny-bird
So cute. Also, thank you for being honest and sharing this post. From your blogs and your photos, I know you’re a good mom and in a good mood most of the time. Whenever I snap at my husband (or my dog, for that matter), I feel so terrible. It’s good to remember that we’re only human, and sometimes we’re just in a bad mood. It doesn’t mean we’re bad spouses (or mothers).
Renee
That is adorable!
LIssa
Your timing is always heaven sent to me Katie!
Beanie, Gracie & Tillman's Nana
Along with God, Beanie’s in my heart! My sweet sweet Beanie….I love you, little buddy.
Suzanne
That just made me tear up. Thank you for the reminder, sweet little Bean!
My co-worker’s daughter was in the car with her before work one morning and while the sun was rising it looked absolutely gorgeous and her little girl gasped really loudly and said “LOOK MOMMY! Look what God did!” … that one got me too. Kids are such sweet reminders of God’s grace.
The Life and Times of Me
Oh man! That made me tear up. Out of the mouths of babes . . .