And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39
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Today when I picked KA up from school, her teacher told me she cried because a classmate said she couldn't play with her. My heart was understanding but not sad. I wasn't sad because this is a learning lesson for her. Just last week she was the one who made another friend cry - all because of a selfish will and unloving heart. Today's incident at school showed her how it feels to be on the receiving end of a selfish will and unloving heart. A total teaching moment to be seized -that's for sure.
Yesterday the kids learned how to sign love. I wanted to show them this sign because it'll serve as a reminder of what's really important when we do the every day things. This was a perfect illustration for today's school incident. Whether it's saying good morning to our family members, greeting our classmates when we arrive at school, or playing with friends - there is love that needs to abound and take precedence. We really don't need to teach our kids to go first, or take what they think is theirs, or act in a manner that pleases them - that's all sin talking - and they are born with it. We are all born in sin. [Psalm 51.1] And according to Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
This illustration is taken from the Training Hearts for Jesus website. The position of the hand expresses the letter “I” and “L” in sign language, and together expressing, “I love you”. The “I” represents the child’s choice and decision. It is a symbol of commitment. The “L” represents the word love. Quoting Matthew 22:37, 39 the first part of this verse, “Love the Lord your God…” is shown in the pointer finger as it is directed to heaven, showing his vertical relationship with God.
Taken from: http://traininghearts4jesus.
So when a social conflict arises I'll be flashing the hand sign of love instead of those glaring eyes of disappointment.
And here are some pictures of the girls taking care of their "neighbors" and showing love by caring for them :) so cute to see little friends take care of other little friends!
On a little side note -last night KA and Babester remembered their hand sign. The in laws were coming over for dinner so when the kids were watching them walk up the driveway - the kids flashed them the love hand sign through the window. Wondered if they knew what it meant? or if they just looked like little hoodlums. :)
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