Broken Eggs

Broken egg shells laid all over the kitchen floor. Yellow egg yolks were dripping down the counter-tops as if keeping tempo with my frantic thoughts. I saw an empty egg carton lying on the kitchen floor, and next to it stood a little girl about three feet tall. She had curly brown hair and big brown eyes. In her hand, she held the only remaining egg. As she handed, what seemed to be a golden egg out to me, she said: “I tried to get this for you, Mommy.” Tired  and my head a little fuzzy from all the morning activities, I was in much need of some peace and quiet while Eva took her afternoon nap. Instead, as I hauled in the last couple of bags of groceries, I was met with disaster. Weary can be a dangerous place to meet disaster. This is usually where we say things we don’t mean, discipline wrong, or speak too harshly. All those things crossed my mind, but instead, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. It was at that moment I heard the words, “love mercy.” I saw my mother in a flash, and I smiled, knowing exactly what I would do. I bent down ever so gently and said, “Eva, it’s ok. We don’t punish for accidents.” I hugged her and told her we had a BIG mess to clean up! She laughed and ran to grab her little mop.

Disciplining at the wrong time would not get the results I desired. Correction and patience will. This was an opportunity to teach a valuable lesson. Accidents do not magically go away. Showing her the process of cleaning up and teaching her the importance of waiting for mommy, before climbing the counter to grab an egg, will do more for her in the long run than misguided anger in the name of discipline. Discipline comes into play after the teaching has been ignored. As parents, we sometimes forget this crucial step. I, too, have had my moments of regret but have learned from them. I had the privilege of growing up in a home where this principle was taught by example, so well. I can remember many times receiving mercy when I should have received punishment. Oh, there were many times I received the board of correction across the seat of knowledge and I know, all too well, the sound leather makes as it comes through the belt loops, but I have also seen a father who would walk away before correcting his children, simply because he knew he was too mad to handle it at that moment. I have seen my father not once, but every time before a spanking, make sure that I knew how much he loved me. Because of their example and astute guidance, I knew the course I needed to take in this moment. There is a fine line between mercy, judgement, and instruction. It’s only in the application of God’s word that we find that balance. As a parent, there will be plenty of occasions that require a firm hand, but this was not one of them. This was simply broken eggs.

Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

If you will remember these things. You will have it just about right .

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