Forever, Ever...

It is so easy to be unkind and take advantage of our family. After all we do a lot for them, so using their things without asking doesn't seem like such a big deal. And if we live with them it's not so important to spend time with them, right? It is so easy to fall into the trap of taking advantage of what God has given to us and even sometimes seeing it as something other then a blessing. I think part of living alive in Christ is realizing that Christ blesses us in more ways then we can imagine and in ways we often refuse to see. I had such a moment this evening.

I am constantly frustrated with the little girls of my family because they use way to much toothpaste and leave it spread across the bathroom sink. Once, while doing a deep clean of our bathroom, I'm pretty sure I found toothpaste on the ceiling! Often I say thing to them like "Ana, it isn't hard to remember, when you are done brushing your teeth wipe out the sink. It's part of your morning chores. You have to be responsible and remember!" Then I get that knot of frustration when I walk into the bathroom and the sink looks like the toothpaste bottle threw up in it.

I decided that since I couldn't remind them every day to wash out the sink I would write a message to them. Often I'll leave them notes in dry erase marker that say everything from Bible verses to reminders and friendly notes. In large letters I wrote "Girls, remember to wash out the sink every time, Please. Thanks. *smiley face*" I underlined please a few time (to sound nicer) and was content with my work. When Ana and Alisia asked me about the note a few minuets later I told them "Now you have no excuse to forget, I wrote it to help you remember."

Feeling quite happy with myself I went to brush my teeth before crawling in bed. I was very pleased with the clean sink that I now had to brush my teeth in. Right before I turned off the light I saw a small note that Ana and written in response to my note. It said,

"I love you Heather, forever, ever. Love, Ana"

Talk about feeling the size of a worm. I felt awful! Here I was reminding them to clean th

e sink and Ana was reminding me that she would love me "forever ever." It changed my perspective again. These girls are beautiful gifts from God that I need to remember to cherish and love. I want them to remember me as the sister who loved them not the sister who was always after them to finish their chores.

In blue dry-erase writing I wrote back to Ana "I love you forever, ever too, dearest Ana." And, in truth, I do. I'm so thankful that God used my little sister to change my focus and remind me that he gives me gifts I don't even think about. Part of living alive in Christ is remembering that God blesses us even when we don't deserve it. I love you Ana and Alisia, forever, ever.