Stealing: a doorway to opportunity

Well it's almost embarrassing how long its been since I've blogged, but there's something new building and changing in me. Encouragement and inspiration breeds movement...and I am starting to move! It may not be in the form of me maintaing this blog, but there is something within me that needs to take some kind of small step and today, that is blogging.

This week proposed a challenge that in my parentdom was a first. (if parentdom's not a word, I just made it one). My six year old son confessed to stealing (gasp).  Yes, and not only stealing, but stealing from one of his very best friends (say it's not so!).  My initial response pretty much consisted of me verbalizing my initial feelings and shock. (Yes I'm aware that isnt always the healthiest parenting approach, but yet I'm pretty confident we've all done it).  After we got thru the first round of tears (on his part) and the questioning and scolding on my part, I will admit....out came the parenting books for reference and research.  Clearly stealing is wrong, but how could I teach my son this in a way that would not just become head knowledge or a recited rule, but in a way that it is molded into his character, that imparts an uncompromising respect for honoring others and valuing justice. Ok yes, maybe that all sounds a bit grandiose for a few little lego pieces...but I knew if I could get past the anger, hurt and shock over something I just wouldn't think my son would do (a touch of hurt ego/pride perhaps too?)...I had an oppurtunity for teaching his heart with a greater effectiveness that wouldn't have existed without this little mess up.

Without going into the unnecessary of details of how we worked thru this...I will say, as I sat down with my son for "take two" of our talk, this time with a clear head and a determined heart of love for him, I was able to see a new depth of his pure little heart. We talked about trust, choices and consequences, what the Bible says about stealing, etc.  He cried as he expressed his fear that this made him a bad person. I looked him in the eyes and explained that this wrong decision did NOT change who he was and reminded him instead of who he was, and all the amazing qualities that made him up.

Later, as I watched my son confess on the phone to his friend (brief as it was...a typical man on the phone :) his eyes welled up with tears as he asked him if he would forgive him.  My own eyes reflected the same well of tears.  It sounds so strange, maybe even wrong, but I was suddenly so thankful for this "growth" opportunity in which I know my son and I both learned lessons, grew in relationship, and came a little closer to the understanding of our Father's love and grace given without hesitation or second thought. The mistakes we make do not change who He created us to be or His love for us! That nite tears filled both our eyes again while he asked God for forgiveness and simply said: God I love You. You are the best Father I ever had. (...and that's saying A LOT! :)