February 19, 2007
By Shirley McDonald

 

Lessons from the preschooler?? How can it be that Lane is no longer a toddler, but already a “big” boy of 4 years old? oHo This articulate, questioning, and precocious boy sometimes amazes me with his insight. What a joy to learn from him!

 

The Surprise Tenth Commandment

Lane and Mom (she is no longer Mommy; that name is just too baby) were discussing the 10 Commandments. Aside from the difficulty of explaining adultery to a four-year-old, Mom was having problems remembering all 10 of the commandments as quickly as Lane wished. After discussing it for a while, Lane wisely commented, “I imagine that one is: Don’t stick your tongue out at people.”

 

Obviously someone at preschool (maybe Lane himself!) had been guilty of breaking that rule, and the resulting consequence evidently made quite an impression, so much so that he considered not sticking his tongue out at others to be worthy of a place with the other nine commandments given to Moses by God.

 

So maybe Lane’s wording was not exactly King James Version as found in Exodus, but maybe he wasn’t so far off from Jesus’ commandment that we should love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). After all, genuine love will not treat others with disrespect, anger, or any negative action.

 

We would do well as Christians to remember Lane’s commandment, but to love others even if their actions are unlovable.

 

Bottomless Treasure Box

As a doting grandmother, I keep a treasure box for Lane in my closet. Whenever he leaves my house, he gets to choose a couple of items from the treasure box to take with him. (It makes our parting a little less traumatic!) Recently, he wished to take three items with him.

 

“Lane,” I said, “if you take so many today, then you won’t have many left to choose from another day.”

 

He quickly answered, “Well, you can always go to the store and buy more.”

 

Which is exactly what he expected Mimi to do, and it is exactly what she did. The treasure box has to be replenished frequently in order to always have a treasure for Lane.

 

As Christians, we can be assured that God’s treasure box of blessings for us never runs out. No matter how many visits we make into His presence, there is never a question but that He will have a treasure for us each time (Matthew 7:11). 

 

 

ninetyandnine.com

 

© 2007, Shirley McDonald

 

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Shirley McDonald loves learning from her grandchildren (and the grand dog, too).