Mud Puddles & Dandelions

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I Wish You Mud Puddles & Dandelions:

When I look at a patch of dandelions,
  I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My kids see
  Flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me,
  I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money, and I look away.
My kids see
  Someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love,
  I know I can’t carry a tune and don’t have much rhythm, so I sit self- consciously and listen.
My kids
  Feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don’t know them, they make up their own.

When I feel the wind on my face,
  I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids
  Close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray,
  I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.
My kids say
  “Hi, God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don’t want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss Mommy and Daddy.”

When I see a mud puddle,
  I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
My kids sit in it.
  They see dams to build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?
No wonder God loves the little children!!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
I wish you Mud Puddles and Dandelions! (Author Unknown)

This poem is a reflection of two opposing perceptions. One is from a child’s perception, where they are looking for the good in everything and finding it. The other is from an adult’s perception, where what is seen is the worst in everything, and also finds it. My purpose in sharing this poem with you is to help you decide which attitude you are entering the Christmas season with, and which attitude are you reflecting? God sent His Son to be a Light in a dark world. If we are a believer in His Son, Jesus, we are to reflect that same light--of hope, compassion, joy, forgiveness and love. However, all too often we are reflecting something other than Christ, especially when it pertains to our spouse. Instead of reflecting Christ-centered qualities to our spouse, what comes out is hurtful speech and actions. As believers, our first point of ministry is our homes. It starts with ministering to our spouse and our children. Are they seeing God’s love reflected in our behaviors and speech toward them?

In counseling couples, we like to use the acrostic THINK to help teach a different way of communicating to one another (THINK is not my original material but is based off Ephesians 4).

T: Is it True? Paul (Eph. 4) says that we need to lay aside all falsehood and speak truth.

H: Is it Helpful? Our goal should be to help, not hinder.

I: Is it Inspiring? Paul says our speech should “edify,” literally “build up” not tear them down.

N: Is it Necessary? Not every thought needs to be expressed. Paul says only to speak “according to the need at the moment.”
K: Is it Kind? Even when confrontation is necessary, our words should communicate grace. Paul writes later, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.” Eph. 4:32

William Penn once said “…I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” Tis the season--the challenge is what kind of season are we going to make it for our family, friends, and those we come in contact with? What are we reflecting? Three points I leave you with:

1. No one is any better or worse than anyone else;
2. Everyone has an issue they are dealing with;
3. Every act of kindness we show is a gift to those we show it to.

Look for the good this season! It’s out there! Or better yet, BE the good!