Monday, August 6, 2012

Out of the Mouth of Babes




I don’t know about anyone else, but there are things I think I can do well. You know things I do not normally do in public like singing. Well, there are three memories, many more I am sure I cannot remember,that have taught me a great lesson in humility.

I have always enjoyed spending time with children. Especially those in the four to six age range. They are so unencumbered. Some are a little bashful at first, but once they get to know you, they come out of their shell. Some have a wonderful sense of humor and the questions they can ask are interesting to say the least.

Here is memory number one. I spent nearly a third of my life as a financial planner. I had an office, but most of my interviews were in my client’s homes around a dining room or kitchen table. It was the easiest way to get mom and dad together without having to find a babysitter. I would usually strike a deal with the children. If they would not interrupt while I was talking with their parents, I would give them a dollar. This was when a dollar would buy a lot of candy.
One evening, toward the end of the interview, a beautiful little girl came in and very quietly sat down at the table. She did not say a word. When I was getting ready to leave, I looked at her and asked, “How is it that a brown cow can eat green grass and give white milk?” She didn’t bat an eye and said, “I don’t know, but God does. Ask Him.” I smiled and said, “That’s a very good answer. I’ll ask Him when I get home.” She replied, “No. Ask Him now.” I did not ask that question any more.

Here is memory number two. I took a group of children to the zoo in Kansas City. It was a beautiful day in June, as best I recall. I connect the children with the adults who were assisting me. Walking along with my group enjoying the beauty of the day when I suddenly burst out singing Victory is Jesus. This beautiful little girl walking beside me looked up at me and said, “Bad singing, Brother Tom, bad singing.” I did not do that again and I am sure I dropped out of the church choir.

Memory number three involves my granddaughter, Hannah. Barbara, my wife, and I were going on a cruise and stopped in Beaumont, TX to spend the night with our daughter and her family. We pulled into the drive way and the family came out to meet us. I hugged Hannah and asked her for a kiss. “Not now”, she said. So later in the evening, I asked her again.  She replied, “Later.”  When bedtime came, I said, “Hannah, can I have a kiss?” Her reply? “In the morning.” I said, “You know Grandma and Grandpa are leaving very early to go on our cruise.” She simply said, “Don’t wake me.”







10 Day Lesson Plan for homeschool





3 comments:

Unknown said...

Tom, I enjoyed hearing your stories about children. They're so innocent and wise. I too love being around them. We can learn much from them. Thank you for these stories.
God bless.

TNeal said...

Any story that makes me laugh without feeling guilty is a great story. So, Tom, great stories!

Liz Flaherty said...

Funny! I loved that word, "unencumbered." It definitely fits.