Kindred Spirits

Every once in awhile, one of the children will end up in a bit of a slump, feeling displaced, or misunderstood by the others, or even like an outcast in "society". I hate it! I absolutely hate for any one of them to feel left out for any reason, and I personally believe it's only due to a lack of love and understanding on the parts of his or her brothers and sisters who are more caught up in their own little worlds, absorbed in self, rather than operating in an outward focus of ministry and love to others. But, seeing as how adults around here are still falling short at mastering those lovely attributes, why should it surprise me that the kids struggle openly in the same battlefields?
Well, this time Miss Milly, our eight year old, was feeling the pain; and in classic Milly fashion, if she's feeling the pain, anyone within 50 feet of her is also feeling the pain. She's not one to suffer quietly and alone. Though she is quite dramatic and outward, she is, to her credit, genuinely honest about her issues. She is not one to manipulate the others or Curtis and me, but she longs for relational intimacy...at all costs. She's been willing to give up her own way time and again just to gain validating favor among her siblings. The familiar slump she fell into this time was one of finding herself left out, not included, and in her mind even disdained. So, one night when she was already asleep with the little ones, I called a meeting with the older ones to explain the ministry needed. I gave my usual warnings of punishment if they crossed certain lines with her, and asked that they be sensitive and aware of opportunities to bless Milly. They agreed, some more reluctantly than others, and so began a new day for Milly. But, Maggie, more-so than the rest, really answered the call this time. She focused on taking Milly under her little angelic wings and including her in everything. Within hours the next day, Milly was singing more than screaming, and she and Maggie became inseparable! It's been two weeks since this happened, and their friendship still rings true. Not that they were not "friends" before this episode, but that sometimes making an overt effort to love somebody unveils new found treasures.






Mercy and Milly are usually two that stick together, no matter what. They play together all day, everyday, and they eat together, nap together, walk together, etc. I thought that the Maggie intervention would shake that up, but Mercy welcomed Maggie right in, and actually seemed oblivious to the fact that Maggie had taken her companion off to herself for awhile. Mercy is such a funny, spirited goofball that most household issues roll off her back, and she's off to play again. She's actually learned to read pretty well just a couple of months ago, so she's been clinging to me waiting for any opportunity to read something aloud to me to practice. She's so proud of herself and she loves the Abeka readers for first grade, so she's been carrying them around like a well seasoned bookworm, always furthering an already illustrious education. Too funny! Believe me, the "fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants" personality and the stack of books under her arms don't go together. She is a hoot!


So, with a reader in hand, she set out for our nature walk that day, keeping close to me. I'm not sure exactly when she planned to read, but she was ever-ready! These moments crack me up! How their little minds process everything and act out their sense of reality is a never ending fascination. There is absolutely no need for two hour silver screen sagas around here. Real life is much more entertaining with the extra benny of being personally rewarding!