i have something to tell you

my son came to me the other day because he had something to tell me. i guess he felt he should prepare me first.

somewhat nervous, but calmly: "mom, i need to tell you something. it's something i did wrong and i need to tell you. i have prepared myself to get in trouble or maybe even a spanking if you say so."

"okay, son, just tell me what it is and we'll see if there needs to be any punishment."

"okay, mom."

he takes in a few quick, deep breaths (more of his "preparation").

what in the world is he going to tell me? i haven't a clue what it could be. i have noticed any broken window. no neighbors have said anything to me. this kid asks me before he plugs something in, before he eats a snack, if he found a toy that is supposed to be put up and it's not.

in one big breath he quickly blurts out, "one sunday in sunday school i was sitting by my friend, j, and the teacher had to separate us because i was talking!"

he releases a huge amount of breath, and anxiously awaits his punishment.

that's it? did he hit someone? did he go on a rampage and tear up the sunday school room? don't get me wrong, i know that talking when the teacher is talking is rude and disrespectful.

"son, you know you are not supposed to talk in sunday school when the sunday school teacher is talking right. it's rude and disrespectful to the teacher and other kids in the class who are trying to listen."

"yes"

"when was this?"

"i'm not sure, not today but a couple of weeks ago."

"alright, well you need to make sure you do what you know is right." i'm trying to appeal to his conscience so he will do what is right and not just because mommy and daddy said or because he might get punished.

"yes ma'am!"

that was it. i am not sure what he thought was going to happen, but i do know he probably worried/stressed more about it that was necessary and that was punishment enough.

he gets upset about things. he still throws the occasional fit. he still disobeys. he still yells. he still pesters his sister (i think that one's going to take a while as i hear sister yelling for her brother to "stop" as i write this.). but.... he knows what's expected of him. he's sensitive. he's helpful. he's sweet. he's organized. he's inquisitive. he caring. he show's God's love to others.

i love him. i'm so glad God has give us this time with him. i am trying to tell myself that this is going by fast. he's almost 8 already. i remember seeing him in the nicu when he was born, and it doesn't seem like that long ago. this is one of the many reasons we made the decision to homeschool. we wanted this time that passes all too quickly with our kids. we wanted to be the main influence in their lives. we wanted to spend this time getting to know them and to be able to teach them, so that when they leave they will (hopefully) be well-equipped to go out into the world and tell others about God. almost 8 years have passed already. it's going by in the blink of an eye. so fast, but i'm thankful for any amount of time that God gives us with our son and our daughter.