.jpg)
But the toilet didn't cooperate. It is a strange toilet. For instance, we can't flush that toilet if the washing machine is running. Anyways, I digress...
So by the time I got there my son was standing over the toilet... plunger bobbing up and down...trying to fix it.
But what I saw, through the veil of the over active mothers imagination, was nasty, backed up toilet water being splashed all over my boy and the walls and the floor and the vanity and the bath mats..... you get the picture....
The water wasn't going anywhere, but I just knew if I continued to let him mess with it... gross.
So, of coarse I scolded him for even touching the plunger (one of Dad's tools) and told him to leave it be... Dad would fix it later.
Well as I went to bed last night I was going over the day's events in my mind and it struck me...
Men fix things and in the absence of his dad, he was trying to help me. I felt that iron grip of guilt start to squeeze my heart. What had I done? All he wanted to do was be the man...
because that is what we pound into him day after day.
"You're the man around here when dad's at work."
So this afternoon after things settled down I had to pull him aside and tell him I was wrong and ask him to forgive me.
I often have to ask my kids to forgive me. Do you?
When HC and I were going through our pre-marital counseling one of the things we learned is to ask forgiveness instead of saying "I'm sorry"
It is soooo much more humbling to ask for forgiveness. You can't offer an excuse. When you say I'm sorry it is most often followed by a "but, I was just...."
So I am thankful for the way the Holy Spirit brought to my mind what I had done to QB.
And I am thankful that I had the chance to make it right.
And I am thankful that he loves me, unconditionally, and how quick my kids are to forgive.
And I am thankful for the privilege of helping QB become a better young man by letting him help in the absence of his dad. Maybe not with the plumbing right now...but there are other things that will come up and as he's ready...I will pray I am too.
3 comments:
thanks for being so honest. I think it's so important too - Cort is only three and I feel I already often ask him for forgiveness....lead by example, right?
And I am so nervous about that whole raising a man thing...
That was such a good example to all of us! I make mistakes with my kids on an hourly basis I am sure - what a great experience, thanks for sharing and thanks for your nice comments on my blog.
I really love the idea of asking for forgiveness instead of just saying "I'm sorry". I can see how that would make a huge difference.
And what you said about the Holy Spirit bringing that to your mind, isn't it so comforting to know that we really aren't in this parenting thing alone, we have (because we need) divine intervention more often than we probably realize. But it is so nice when we notice those interventions.
What a touching post...been there and done that, probably this week. But you know what he'll remember? The apology, not the scolding! good job, Mom!
Post a Comment