Do-overs, Childrearing, and Stinky Feet

Mama was raised a farm girl. When she wanted me to do something right, she’d say, ‘Lick your calf over’. Which always grossed me out in a way, but I knew what it meant. I hadn’t done something to her satisfaction and needed to try again with more focused intention and care.

When my girls were young, I often said, ‘Do it again!’ Especially during piano practice. “Play it again!” rang out from the kitchen while they practiced in the living room. And, “Play it again!” and “Play it again!” If at that point it still didn’t sound right, I went in to help them solve the problem.

As I have taught piano lessons, I see the same things happen repeatedly with students. If they misplay a measure the first time they go through the piece, they will continue to do so unless we take time to play that one or two measures over and over correctly.

The mind is an interesting thing. When our thoughts are combined with muscle memory and all sorts of external triggers, we react according to precedents set in our past and preconditioned responses. We behave based on our perceptions of our reality and ingrained habits.

So you see, I think on things that I really don’t know what I’m talking about!

But here’s the deal and lesson for the day! Since I missed yesterday, you get a double dose today.

As a piece of baloney in an in-between-the-generations sandwich, I am still influenced by my mother’s actions, attitudes, and teachings. I am still influencing my children and grandchildren, positively in some ways and not so much in others. As I was yelling at an automated phone service the other day, I’m sure my grandchildren were seeing more of the ‘real me’ than they should have!

How does an adult’s reaction in times of fear, anger, and trauma affect our children? How much of a parent’s words and expectations are molding the child’s attitudes for eternity? What examples do we set that guide them to make wise choices? What do-overs are we demanding that become sustainable habits for them?

As I read John 13 today, I was thinking about stinky feet. Jesus washing the disciples’ feet was His object lesson that evening.

Jesus had shown them time and again how to love others as God wanted them to do. Jesus was wonderfully loving to those who were vying for position in His Kingdom. Little did they realize they would soon face horrific trials and even death because of their choice to follow Jesus and share His message of love. What they learned from Jesus in that unforgettable moment would change them forever. Their perception of honor was no longer about themselves. Their mindset a few days later would be to live to honor God as humble servants.

As we go through life, we deal with stinky people or situations, sometimes over and over. How many times does a young mom have to wipe a dirty backside before the child gets the hang of going to the toilet? How many times does she remind her youngster about brushing his teeth? How many times does a dad caution a teen about driving too fast?

Bunny trail…….Parents, work with your child helping them to complete a task like making a bed instead of expecting trim corners and taut coverings without understanding the process.

Back to the lesson.

I think Jesus is patient in His teaching us day by day and gives us plenty of opportunities for do-overs. He wants our good attitudes and works of love and grace to become habits.

Galatians 6:9. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  NLT

Philippians 3:12-14.  I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working for that day when I will finally be all the Christ saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. TLB

Whose feet are you washing over, and over, and over?

Blessings

KB

The artwork was taken from a site. I’m not sure who painted it, but it was this or a mom trying to get her kid toilet trained. This was probably better unless I get sued for absconding the work. In which case, I say, “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again!”