Star Wars, Yellow Paint, and Love

 First, a story about Canaan, because he came up with a "witty" reply on his own, and he is so very proud. I can't remember if I ever wrote about his abysmal record with shoes. He went an entire week with two left shoes, no rights. For almost an entire day his third pair, which was the only one he had left, was down to only a left shoe also. He was going to be reduced to wearing rain boots just to go to the commissary. 

 He has a habit also, once the shoes are off, (and somehow separated and lost!) of removing one sock as well. Just one. I continually find him tromping around the house, and even the back yard, in one sock. I am sure you can imagine what that does in the laundry. 

 When we were at my parent's house last week my mom was fussing at him, and asked, "Canaan, where did you leave your other sock?" He responded, without pause, "I gave it to Dobby". 

 I guess I shouldn't have let him watch the second Harry Potter movie!

 He is now so proud of himself for thinking up a silly response that he had faithfully made sure to tell almost all of the family. I love age eight! 

Also while we were visiting my family last week Canaan and Zion could not find their Star Wars toys anywhere. They have a special stash they keep in the basement, just for visits there, and they were desperately needed.

 You see, when Mom and I were digging through the attic for decorative items to use at Mary Faith's shower we also discovered our old dollhouse. Beautiful, 3 story dollhouse, hand built, painted and shingled by my grandfather. We had bought furniture and dishes with our Christmas money through the years. Wallpapered and decorated. And yet, there it was, lonely in the attic, 10 years after the youngest child had outgrown it. (and that's pushing it, since Mary Faith is 24...)

So we pulled it out. We opened the boxes of furniture. The decorated Christmas tree with handmade Christmas gifts. The cross stitched blanket for the master bed.

 And my boys declared that their Star Wars men would fit perfectly in there. Canaan justified it nicely, saying in his best 8 year old tone, “It's okay for us to play with it, since it's yellow.”

 I guess if it had been pink it would not have been okay. But yellow passes the gender allowed test in 8 year old dollhouse playing. Especially if you are putting Star Wars characters in it, gleefully making them use the porcelain toilet.

But ...they could not find their Star Wars characters.

The hunt was on.

Who, who do you think was the one to find them?

Why, mommy of course.

When I discovered them buried underneath a stack of pillows I teasingly asked Zion, “Who's the best Mommy in the world?” He replied, “You (dramatic pause)... except for Nani.”

 For anyone who doesn't know, Nani is what he calls my Mom. And really, how could I argue with that statement. As much as I would like to be the best Mommy in the world, I certainly can't imagine taking that title away from my Mom! So I just ruffled his hair, gave him his Star Wars characters and sent him up to create the coolest yellow Star Wars meeting room ever. (complete with a replica of a foot pedal sewing machine.. but I digress)

 One of the devotionals I am reading this year is “The heart of a Mother”, compiled by Wayne Holmes. It has stories from famous Christian authors and speakers talking about their mothers, and how they affected their life.

There are some beautiful stories, encouraging ideas of how to lift up my children and teach them to love our Savior with their entire heart and soul and mind, and to love their neighbor more then they love themselves.

I was blessed with a mother who did that for me. Who taught me how to love from the moment I was born.

But there are so many who didn't have that. At least, not from their mother. And yet, that love is still there. That desire to give love, and to receive it in return. We have a job, a calling, not only to love our children and our husbands, our friends and our neighbors but also the people whom we have absolutely nothing in common with. The people we would argue with about politics, and how to raise children. The people that in our opinion are wasteful or miserly, too serious or too nonchalant.

Even the people that hurt other people.

We have love. 

They want love. 

God told us quite clearly to give love.

Matt 5:44 says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons (and daughters) of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.”

Not everyone grew up with the best mommy in the world (like I did) but everyone has a loving Daddy. They just need to be introduced.

That's our job.

Share His name.

Be His arms.

Shine His love. 

 Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. Love is in the air. While it is on your mind, remember to share not just human love, but God's love too!  

Blessings,