Comments on: Explanations

By: Rebecca from A Good Theme

Rebecca from A Good Theme — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:16:01 +0000

Thank you.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:26:41 +0000

As always, I come here to nourish my soul and to remember what is so right with the world. As always, I am never disappointed. Great post!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:28:47 +0000

You made me cry!! I am pregnant with my first, and I pray every day for him (or her), and think about things like this- how to talk to my child about these things. What a blessing to read your refreshing viewpoint!

By: Sally

Sally — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:41:52 +0000

Well put.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:38:03 +0000

I never read this one before but I’m so glad you posted it again. It’s amazing how much our kids pick up on sometimes. I totally agree with you and think you handled it just great!

It reminds me of the time my five year old asked “How come God gives and takes away, Mom?” This was after hearing a song on the radio.

By: Net

Net — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:24:30 +0000

“As Sean matures, I hope that he will learn that the measure of his life is in his character — not in what he has and most certainly not in comparison with what others may have.”
—This is in my top 5 priorities in raising my children. I admire and agree with your outlook very much.

By: Joan Gambill

Joan Gambill — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:02:21 +0000

Rich and Poor

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?” It was great, Dad.”
Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. Oh Yeah” said the son.
“So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father. The son answered, I saw that we have one dog
and they had four.” We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.” We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.” Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.” “We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.” We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.” We buy our food, but they grow theirs.” “We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.” With this the boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks, dad, for showing me how poor we are.”

By: _

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:58:17 +0000

Thea!!!!!!!!!
I just had to respond to your comment… my mama stayed at home when I was I child… and one of my best childhood memories is always being able to bring kids over for lunch and my mum making pancakes for us… and yes those kids loved it (and I did too)… my mum teached art classes at my school… and now I want to be an illustrator… mostly because, thanks to my mama, art was what I grew up with…
sooooo… are you me???

Oh and I completely agree with this:

“And, by the way, It’s so wonderful to read a blog that bursts with love of God, without being judgemental or preachy. You are just amaze me.”

and I’m not even religious … it’s just beautiful to read…

By: Thea

Thea — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 06:02:10 +0000

When I was younger my father was a teacher and my mother a stay at home Mom. They sent me to the best elementary school in town, so all my friends’ parents were lawyers and doctors and radiologists, lived in huge houses, while we lived in a small apartment. I honestly, honestly never realized how large those differences were, until much later when I went to college. In fact, I always felt more privileged, because my mother was one of the few ones that was home during the day, so I could bring friends home over lunch, when my mother would make pancakes- kids were lining up to go to lunch with me! I remember my Mom teaching art classes at my elementary school, and thinking how creative she was and how other kids wanted their parents to come to school as well. Two of my best friends had to stay in an after school care plan, because both of her parents worked, and I always felt bad for them. In short– I felt ‘richer’ than any of those other kids, who didn’t get to spend so much time with their parents. I am now an illustrator, mostly due to the fact that my mother was an artist and was always drawing.

I guess my point is, that children really don’t realize these differences, but what stays with them is their emotional connections. I had to wait until Christmas to get the more expensive toys, but when I got them it really impacted me. Some can’t even remember their favorite Xmas gifts, while I still have fond memories of them. But the best gift they could have ever given me is that of creativity.

So I wouldn’t worry about it too much- it sounds like your friend might have a case of the grass-is-greener-over-there herself?

By: Kacey

Kacey — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:02:54 +0000

When our children were in middle school, we used to take them through bad areas of town, so they could see that other people lived differently than we did. I was hoping that they would gain compassion for other children who lived in extreme conditions. It is hard to explain “the haves and the have nots”, but with you for a mother — Sean is in good hands.