Preparation

Today we picked up the kids after a weekend at Mammaw's house. We're tired after a busy weekend, but refreshed!

As we were driving home, we discussed that Little Lou will probably be a lawyer someday. That girl can...and WILL...argue anything! It doesn't matter whether the argument makes sense or not. It doesn't matter whether you have a degree in theology or microbiology or peanut butter jelly sandwich making, she'll argue to the death!

 (I think she was 3 here.  She's 5 1/2 now and this little sweetie is a vague memory!)

As we were discussing our predictions for the future, she piped up from the back seat. (Of course she did!) "Nope! You're wrong! I'm going to be President of the United States of America! I know all about the Oval Office." Yep. And then she went on. "I'm going to be a 'Publican' and I'm going to tell everyone what to do!"

We explained to her that the president doesn't really get to tell everyone what to do. And then we asked her what she'd do to change the world. She responded, "I'm just going to teach everyone that not helping people is the same as hurting them!"  Wow.  How profound, coming from a 5 year old!

I want you to be prepared, because in 30 or so years, this little girl is going to be President of the United States of America, and she's already making plans!

AND I want you to know that we're already helping her prepare!  You see, she argues everything, but she's not very diplomatic (yet).  She's opinionated, but she doesn't want to hear that you are too (yet).  She has ideas and she knows what she thinks is "fair" but she doesn't know how to put her reasons into words (yet).  So when she wants another cookie, rather than tell her "no," I'm asking her to give me a good reason why she should have one.  Rather than telling her she has to wear a coat when we go out in the cold, I'm asking her to give me a good reason why she doesn't need one.

I'm teaching her to use critical thinking.  I'm teaching her to argue appropriately.  I'm teaching her to be a grown up with ideas and opinions and persistence, one that will be able to make her way through this wild, wild world and, if she chooses, one day become the president of the United States!  (Although I'm not sure the $151 she says she'll use for her campaign will get her there...or maybe that's exactly the kind of campaign we need!)

Dear Lord, my little girl is growing up.  Some days she's growing too quickly, some days not quickly enough.  But she's growing, nonetheless.  Please help me to be the best mommy I can be! Help me help her grow to be a God-fearing, people-loving, talented, opinionated, steadfast woman.  Help me to remember you created her to be just the way she is for a reason.  Help me to grow those good qualities in her and help her reign them in for your benefit!  Help me to see her the way you see her: precious, perfect, and a work in progress!  I need that help today.  And if it be your will, help my little girl to, someday, become the President of the United States of America!  (And if that's not your will, help her to see what is!)  Amen.