Collecting November

I started a special jar for the beach glass I collect in November. It wasn't originally on purpose, as it just is time to start a new jar on the windowsill. November beach glass, though, reminds me of hope.

November beach glass is especially precious, as it only gets collected when the storms pass. Each little gem I find is a day that the rain stopped long enough for a beach walk. A sliver of time to be savored. A moment to be enjoyed. A jeweled reminder that, yes, even though it may take time, patience, and perseverance, the sun will come out eventually.

Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

Some homework...

Keelin called me over to help her with her math homework.

If there's one thing she doesn't like, it is asking for someone to help her with anything. Ever since she was six months old sitting in her highchair at mealtime, she wanted to hold the spoon by herself. She couldn't talk then, but everything in her said, "I can do it MYSELF, Mom!" I knew this was the way things would be with her. It's best not to fight it. Eight years of experience, I know if she asks for help, she has exhausted every other means of doing it her way.

I read her the instructions over with the example they gave in her book, and I could tell she was more frustrated than when I first sat down with her.

She abruptly sent me away. Angry she had to ask me in the first place, she put her head back down and started counting with her pencil. A little while later,

"Is this right, Mommy?"

I sat back down and read what she came up with. It's not. "Um, well, you're on the right...." She knows too well when I am trying to soften the blow. She's not fooled one bit.

"UGGGGGH!" She interrupted.

I began to recall several scenes where I was the frustrated eight year old, or twelve year old or sixteen year old that looked very similar to the one I was witnessing in my child. I really felt for her.

I wanted so much to just say, "Here, I know it's hard, let me just finish this for you." I know that's what I wanted when I was a kid. I know that's what she was trying to get at just then.

I couldn't. I can't. How would she learn? How would the next assignment go if she didn't do this one? Oh, it's so hard to watch the one you love struggle through something that you know in the end will be good for them.

God must think that all the time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

~1 Peter 1:6-7