Lessons from P

P is the type B in a family full of Type A's. He definitely brings a needed breath of fresh air into a family full of strong-willed, active and vocal people. I love the effect he has on all of us. He is the barometer for when things get a little too crazy around here. He'll either disappear into another room or just say, "You are all so loud. When do I get to talk?"

And while K & R are uber competitive with one another, P does not find competition the least bit motivating. In the last few weeks I have found that this translates into his view of money as well. When he earns money from chores or receives it as gifts, he keeps a dollar and gives the rest of it away to me or his brother and sister. "I don't need it. You can have it."

This afternoon as he lamented how tired and hungry he was, he mentioned his desire to "invent a contraption that will feed you while you sleep." I mentioned that he could make a lot of money doing that and he said, "Oh, no. I would give it to people and give them some of my money at the same time."

When I asked him where he get the money to give away he thought for a second before replying, "OK, but I am only going to charge $1."

I am so torn on how to encourage his generosity and how to help him protect himself from being taken advantage of by not only his siblings, but the world at large. I suddenly found myself worrying that his generosity would make him weak.

Ironically (or providentially, depending on your world view) the lesson tonight in Bible Study was about putting others ahead of yourself. Life experience has taught these girls to 'look out for number one.' They have been victimized enough--now they want to protect themselves and feel empowered.

As I encouraged my Monday Night Girls to let down their guard a bit and not always have to proactively defend themselves, I found myself chuckling at the stark contrast to my son who only 2 hours earlier I was considering giving a very different talk to--one focused more on not being so quick to give everything away. (It seems embarrassingly superficial and contrary to my beliefs as I type it.)

We read Phillipians 2:3-8 during our study:
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

I couldn't help but think of the constant pull between the conclusions life experience (and fear) can lead us to and the clear directives from Scripture. I praise God for my unselfish P who after asking me to buy treats for his siblings today at Target (with his money) told them he did so simply because he likes to see them smile.

Lord, shut my mouth when I am tempted to lead my children down a path that is far more a result of my fear than my faith.