We are a group of six everyday. Dad goes to work and our little group lives together in the hours he's gone. Learning each other's ways and character, trying to learn how to tolerate one anothers quirks, how to show love, how to sacrifice for others.
We have all learned about sacrifice. When you share a small space with so many bodies, you must learn sacrifice. You must learn that you do not rule, that your way is not most important, that others matter. That you were not intended to have everything your flesh wants.
Sometimes I'm so thankful for having little material wealth. Having little provides opportunity to teach. They learn to rely on Him for what they need rather than ask Mom or Dad and it gives them opportunity to see Him answer them personally, just a child relating to his Creator. Having little offers many other lessons, too.
They also learn to share. This is huge in our group of six. Sharing is common practice around here...and He somehow manages to multiply our little fishes and loaves every time that happens.
I have splurged before on bringing home take out, but lately due to tightening of the money clip we've cut back on the take out. Today for our treat it was two foot long Subways, one small coke, two chocolate chip cookies and some chips. It fed all six of us which is odd considering the two teens usually down a foot long on their own. But they know about the "money clip", so no one complained about too little, instead there was thanks given for the treat. There was also "no, you can have it, I've had enough". They have learned to share.
Mind you, do not worry they are not starving...I oftentimes buy small treats and make them share to train them to take smaller portions and to train them to spend wisely. I want them to learn to buy groceries and make their own food instead of paying so much for someone else to do it for them. So our house is not suffering from food shortage.
Food shortage...reminds me of my Luke and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. What they learn so much of the time does not come from me or Dad. Sometimes after they have learned to talk to their true Father one on one, they come away with insight that He would give them. Luke did that today and all the food talk makes me think of it.
(This was a favorite book for me before it was a movie. Any mom who has to provide three meals a day for a few can appreciate the idea of food falling from the sky.)
He has watched the movie a couple of times and after getting out of the shower tonight, he came and told me about lessons he saw in the movie. He told me that in the movie the machine that makes food is like sin and the mayor is like the devil and Flint is like mankind. He said Flint started the mess by making the machine, but the mayor, although he doesn't like Flint, entices him to make more and more food until the machine is out of control and becomes dangerous. Luke saw a picture of man, sin, and the enemy. I see a boy bypassing his parents religion and relating to the One who loves him more than I can.
Isn't it great when scriptures prove out in our lives "Raise a child in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it"........looks like that is beginning to harvest.
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