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A young boy with his eyes closed, hands folded and head bowed in prayer with text beside him.

A few weeks ago, in church, we had a guest speaker and he shared a story that is worth sharing again.  

Before I start, here are the people in the story…
Lilly- 3 years old, in preschool
Her Grandpap
Here is the conversation (as well as I remember it being told)
Lilly: I am very upset today
Grandpap: Why?
Lilly: Everyone was invited to Luke’s party, except me.
Grandpap: Well, maybe he knows those kids better.
Lilly:  No, we have all known each other for the same time.
Grandpap: Well, maybe he is just inviting boys.
Lilly: No, he is inviting boys and girls.
Grandpap: Maybe he is only inviting his close friends.
Lilly: No, he is inviting everyone in the class, except me.
Now, what do you think your child would do in this scenario?   Talk to the child?  Ask you to call their parent?   Talk to the teacher?
Here is how this three year old handled it:
“Grandpap, When I have my birthday party… (get ready for it)
I am going to invite Luke.”
I think that little girl showed the grace that we all need to have.  It is also such an important lesson to remember when we are having similar conversations with our own children.
Lilly took the high road and followed the golden rule, even if Luke didn’t follow it himself.   I remember hearing the story, in church, about how Jesus said that if someone slaps your cheek, turn and give him the other one.It is hard to even know what to tell our children, in situations like this one.  You don’t want them to be hurt, or sad or upset.   On the other hand, you don’t want them to be “push-overs”, either, but you want them to be children of God & follow his word and example.  So, we need to remember to teach them what is important- follow His word.

That is what Lilly did… and that is what we need to do and to teach our children, even if it means that they aren’t doing what OTHER parents are doing or teaching THEIR children.   That is the hardest part, I think.  It isn’t too common anymore to say “turn the other cheek”, but at times, I think it is necessary to teach our children to be kind and loving and HAPPY.

I think that we can learn a lot from that three year old little girl… 

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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2 Comments

  1. Aw, SOOOO sweet!!! “A little child shall lead them.” Very precious.