Teachable Moments...

Now, this may come as a shock, but I truly love my son. No, really! In fact, often times he is the inspiration for this blog. Its true.
Yesterday morning as we were walking out the door, Isaiah presented me with a question that offered a wonderful teaching moment for him. Now, through the wonderful marvels of the internet, here is our conversation with his words in Green, mine in Blue.

"Why do we have to go places?"
"Well, I have to go to work, and you have to go to Mamaw's because you can't stay here by yourself."
"But why do you have to go to work, dad?"
"Well, I need to make money so you and mommy can have food, and clothes, and so we can pay for our house."

Now, this is where the conversation gets really interesting. You see, Isaiah had just recently asked for a Wii Game(Mario Kart Wii actually, very fun game). We told him he could ask for it for his birthday or Christmas, but it was just too much right now. Something I always look for is "teachable moments." Those little times when through experience I can help Isaiah learn. I saw this as one of those times. I told him if he wanted to do extra chores around the house and for his grandmother(mamaw) we would pay him for it. ($2 for laundry or dishes, small things like that). We explained that the money would be his and when he had saved enough, he could buy the game. The extra chores were completely optional, but were in excess of his regular chores. The awesome thing is he did it. He worked hard, saved his money and got the game. He understood that he had worked for the money to get the game. Now, back to the conversation. His next response was in reflection of this lesson.

"But dad, if you go to work and you work, that's your money."

Wow. Thank you Lord for another teachable moment with my son.

"Yes, I guess you're right son. But I give my money to you and mommy because I love you both."
He just stood there and looked at me a moment.
"Buddy, can you go to work and make money?"
"No, I'm too little."
"That's right, so if I didn't give my money to you, would you have food?"
"No."
"Clothes?"
"No."
"Toys?"
"No."
"I give you and mommy my money to get those things because I love you guys very much."
He looked up, smiled at me, and grabbed my leg hugging me. I knelt down and hugged him back.
"Thank you, daddy"

Are you showing others that you love them? Its more than words. Its more than saying it. Its giving them what belongs to you.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
-John 3:16

In Christ,
jon walton