Proverbs 11:23

"He who refreshes others will be refreshed himself." I have had this verse written on the chalkboard in our kitchen for about 6 months. Usually when I put a verse up, it is a concept or character quality that I am trying to implement into our family. Often it is something that I want to nurture in my own life, and I just try to get the rest of the family to join me in the pursuit.

A few days ago, the girls and I had an unpleasant encounter downstairs in the basement playroom. Daddy told them that they needed to clean the playroom up before they went to bed down there (it was WAY TOO hot to sleep upstairs in their bedrooms), and then he took Michael upstairs to put him to bed. About 15 minutes later, I went down to check on the progress and they were all three sitting on the floor playing a game. Needless to say, mama was NOT happy. They were sent to bed, I was frustrated, it didn't end well.

The next morning, Maddie and Meredith came upstairs and had breakfast; where's Marky? I decided to let Marky keep sleeping. After about another 30 minutes, I went downstairs to check on her; lo and behold she wasn't sleeping but had been up for about an hour CLEANING UP THE PLAYROOM!! I was so surprised and so happy. SHE was so happy that she had done it. She had done such a great job, and I was so thrilled (it was a real mess). I asked her what had possessed her to do such a thing and she said, "Well, you know that verse that is upstairs on the chalkboard? I thought that if I cleaned up the playroom then I would be helping you and that I would feel good too." What a sweet heart my Marky has. I am blessed everyday by her helpful spirit. I am so proud of the little girl that she is. She is growing and changing into the person that God has planned for her to be.

Some days, something actually sinks in!! WHOO HOOOO!!!