Can I help?

It's so wonderful to begin to see and understand the beautiful and unique gifts given to our children. I have often prayed that God would give me insight, to know each of my children as the person He has made her or him to be. Each is so beautiful and I am thrilled to get a glimpse of who they are and whom they may become. This brings me to Acacia, my "Little Love". Acacia's greatest joy is to be by my side, helping me and talking. "Mom, can I help make lunch?" "How can I help Mom?" "Can I put the soap in Mom?" "Can I help?" These are daily, an sometimes hourly, questions from my second born. But as I reflected on this I realized what a truly wonderful question it is and how it shows me Acacia's personality. "Can I help?" What a thoughtful and giving question. I have learned to say "yes" at every possible opportunity. There are times, of course, when a 4, nearly 5, year old simply can't help. But if it's something she can do I try to say "yes" even if it turns out to be more of me helping her to help me. How else can she learn? And how else can I nurture her marvelous gift of desiring to help others? And, why would I ever want to turn away my dear daughter from wanting to spend time with me? It's so much fun to see her get all excited when I say "yes". As I pull out the step stool for her to stand at the kitchen counter with me she sometimes claps her hands and says "This is going to be fun". And you know what? It is! Allowing her to joyfully help helps me joyfully do my job and suddenly it's fun because I did it with Acacia. Who cares if it took a little longer and that she's left handed and I'm right (by the way Mom, how did you help me do anything?)? In the end it's time spent together and I want to take every advantage of my daughter wanting to hang out with me; and every teaching opportunity to encourage in her her love and care for others. Can I help? What a glorious question. May we all learn to say "yes" whenever anyone asks us that question.

Acacia helping to make Daddy's favorite pie for Thanksgiving!