Already by age two, our daughter Heather was eager to please and rarely veered from the path of good behavior. However, in true artistic fashion, our little girl was also a free spirit. Barely old enough to hold a crayon, Heather had a passion to create, and like most mothers of free spirited children, I learned to expect the unexpected.
During a time period when our young family was in-between moves, we spent a few months living with my parents. Staying with them made me a bit anxious since their home was neat as a pin and we had a toddler. I worried we might ruin our welcome if something was damaged. My mom and dad were very particular about their home, a tradition (or curse, depending how you look at it) that I uphold in our home today.
I was a bit leery about the situation, but we needed a place to stay. In our desperation, we made the move and tried our best to respect their home.
One afternoon, while Heather was content coloring in her picture book, I used the opportunity to fold a load of laundry in the basement. Although Heather was out of my line of sight, she was still within ear range so I decided she would be okay for a few minutes. (An assumption I would later regret.)
Our parent’s home was a quad level that had a small staircase leading from the dining room level to the family room below. When I came back upstairs only moments later, I was stunned to find our budding artist engrossed in her newest drawing. As she looked up with a big smile, obviously proud of her pretty picture, my heart sank to the pit of my stomach. Bright, red crayon swirls decorated my parent’s staircase wall! My fear had just become a reality. Frantically, I called my husband at work and told him what happened.
When he got home, Gerry assessed the situation and said, “Rae Lynn, this is a fairly small area. Let’s see if your mom and dad have any leftover wallpaper from this room and I can rehang it.”
When we went to tell my parents what happened, they didn’t freak out like I thought they would. Instead, they reminded me that they were once parents of a toddler too.
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
Thankfully, my parents had some extra wallpaper leftover, and in no time, the staircase wall looked as if nothing ever happened.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
In life, things are going to happen that we don’t expect—it’s a given. But when life throws us a curve ball, instead of getting all bent out of shape, we need to face our fears head on, learn from our mistakes, and do what we can to make amends.
“Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you.” (Psalm 50:15)
