A Good Lesson

About 6 weeks ago K took on a $20 debt as a result of a bout of sassiness and disobedience. Little did I know at the time just how powerful of a lesson this would become. Twenty dollars is a big debt for a 5 year old girl. I felt that it was important to keep my word about her punishment, but it was trying when the boys had money to spend on treats and she did not. On more than one occasion tears were shed over K's perception of the unfairness of it all. (And even though I value consistency, I felt pretty bad.)

A nice lesson about avoiding debt (the borrower is slave to the lender) was added to what I was attempting to teach about consequences of disobedience. It has been a long 6 weeks.

This morning K paid me two more dollars she had earned. Her debt had been whittled down to $1. As she and I talked about how close she was to having her debt repaid an amazing sibling moment occurred.

R is undoubtably my most competitive child. He is not afraid to throw elbows, bend rules and do whatever it takes to win. For this reason, I was astounded when he said, "I want to give K one of my moneys."

I knew he only had $1 in his savings jar. I was not sure if he remembered he had so little. He went to his jar, opened it and to my shock he took his last dollar and used it to pay her debt.

K was ecstatic--and I made a big deal over how proud I was of R's selfless act. "I just wanted to help her out," he beamed.I tried to use it as a segue way to a quick talk about the debt we owed God for our sin. I am not sure if they got it...but I certainly got a lesson I hope I won't soon forget.