"Use your words."
"How do you ask nicely?"
"Speak kindly."
Etc.
It is easy to feel like these lessons and many others that are of more or less importance are never going to sink in.
And then, every once in awhile you get a small glimpse of hope that all that you do is really making a difference.
Like when you hear, "AJ that hurts me, will you please stop?" and AJ says, "Ok." (I swear, this happened!)
Kate brought these marigolds home from preschool early this spring in a small styrofoam cup. They were three tiny sprouts that barely survived in the windowsill while Kate over-watered them daily.
I eventually managed to get the little sprouts into the ground and watered them somewhat faithfully. To be honest, I was fairly confident they were never going to amount to anything and I was worrying about having to break the news to Kate.
But then I watched as they slowly started to grow, bigger and bigger and then they burst forth in bloom into the amazing bush you see above. Every time I catch a glimpse of it I smile a little remembering the little cup and the tiny little sprouts and how it has become the captivating feature of my backyard at the moment.
I may not see all of the seeds that I am planting in my girls' lives blossom and bloom into something beautiful. But there are many that I will get to see....and I can't wait.
And in those moments where I fear that the seeds I am planting are in some way defective, I will remember the marigolds and keep planting and watering.
Lastly, I will remember that while I get to plant the seeds and nurture them, it is not me that makes them grow. That miracle belongs to our Father in Heaven alone.
