Convictions

We made these little reindeer from our Christmas craft book. I liked them sitting on our little outdoor table.

I have a funny story to relate that occurred a few days before we left for Colorado.

I took Deveraux out Christmas shopping, a tradition my mom did with us. We would treasure this special one on one time that involved buying a few gifts with our little bit of money and always ended with a treat.

As we backed out of the driveway, I began to give Deveraux the speech that this night was not about us and it was about giving..."yeah I know mom." So off we went. We head towards Banana Republic where we will look around for my sister, of course as I am looking at the sales rack, I see the cutest charcoal gray shirt...for me. I sheepishly look at Deveraux and almost as if asking permission, "ask" to try it on. She offers me the word Jesus spoke from the verse in Matthew, "It is better to give than to receive." So our kids do listen.

I really wanted this shirt, but my problem was I had this big blue eyed girl not letting me forget what this night was about. I buy the shirt and as we are walking out and Deveraux with all the wisdom in the world with her on this night says, "You are feeling guilty, right?" "Yes", I respond. She then says, "You want to return it don't you?" "Yes" I say, affirmed that someone is having the intuition to see the situation and see me. And as a former counselor, pleased by the perceiving daughter I have. The only problem is that someone is 6 and is my daughter.

We have looked through two more stores and it is just not sitting well with me. I have already tried explaining myself and re-working the precedent I had originally set with Deveraux, it is not working. I tell her we need to go back and I am going to return the shirt. Without hesitation, she heads back with me. She knows. She knows this was what needed to be done.

I return the shirt and then put it on hold for the following day.
So is it legalistic? Was I following the letter of the law? I don't think so for this night. I felt I needed to follow what I had laid out. And would it be okay on a future Christmas shopping night for others to buy a shirt for myself, yes. Just not on this night. I needed to follow what I said because Deveraux needed me to follow it.

Oh, our children. On this night, Deveraux felt like a peer, it was "convictingly odd" and somewhat uncomfortable. Yet, we are raising these little people to be people who follow convictions and call others to something higher. This is what we want, it just feels a little early.
I love my Deveraux, my pal, who feels so close to me. I love that we will move through these days together and we have many ahead. She continues to be the gift I unwrap (felt this when she was born and we left the hospital) and I am so thankful for her!

I have a feeling that this isn't the last time my daughter will call me to something higher.