What's a Tantrum to God?

My four year old is, well, let's say, precocious.

He comes up with some big plans sometimes, and sometimes I let him carry them out.

Sometimes, though, I can't.

The other day, early in the morning, Reed came to me with some of his big plans:

"Mom, Mom, Mom -- I just decided to have a picnic! Yeah! This will be awesome!"

"Oh, a picnic lunch! That does sound fun."

"No, Mom, not a picnic lunch... a picnic RIGHT NOW! Call Naomi and Abbie and Ellie and....."

"Reed, it's not even 8am. We can't call your friends because they are probably still asleep. Plus, we have to get ready for Joyschool!"

I further emphasize Joyschool in an attempt to distract him away from the fact that I'm raining on his parade, er, his picnic. It is an epic fail.

"Mom, I don't wanna go to Joyschool. I wanna have a PICNIC. In the FRONT yard. Right NOW."

I feel like he has added the detail about location to see just how far he can push. We don't play in the front yard without an adult... Stay calm, Mama...

"Reed, if you want a picnic right now, you may go eat your breakfast in the backyard. Hurry, so we can get it cleaned up and get your Great Eight done in time for Joyschool!"

His response to this: sobbing, screaming, throwing things, TANTRUM. I no longer want to use the word "precocious" to describe him... I want a stronger, less complimentary word. But I will choose to just weather the storm, and love him into calming down.

I think God must feel the same way with us sometimes! We come to him with our big plans. And because he can see the whole picture, he just might shoot us down. Ouch! And we just might yell back at Him that we WANT IT RIGHT NOW, just the way we are visualizing it.

He might be trying all the same tactics, explanations, diversions, gentle reminders of rules...

And we sob, scream, throw things...

And finally, we calm down as we sense that his foresight and his firmness are love, and we choose to trust that he knows best, rather than keep ramming ourselves up against him.

Thank goodness for his patience, his compassion, his example. May I seek his help as I attempt to give my children a similar love -- a love that allows for tantrums, and then welcomes back the whiner when he's ready to re-focus.

Children as Ministers

Today, Church was a little different.

The children, ages 3-11, gave the majority of the presentation.

So, okay then, it was a LOT different!

Our church generally has a variety of speakers. Our lay clergy doesn't have to sermonize much -- they simply ask two or three other adults to prepare 15-20 minutes worth of wisdom on a given topic, and over the course of a few years we get to hear from a high percentage of the congregation.

Once a year, we get to hear from the little ones.

The ones so fresh from heaven... When they sing "I am a Child of God," it's possible that their pre-mortal memories are still vaguely visible to their faithful spiritual eyes.

My two-year old really loves this song. In fact, if I am singing any other song, she says, "Mom, I don't like that song. I like I am a Child of God!" and she'll break out in her own special harmony.

She saw the other kiddos singing up there today and said, "I want to be up there and sing."

She would have fit right in, with her halo of golden hair.

Those children were amazing! They were led by amazing women, who gave their talents and leadership to inspire these children to stun the ward with their awesomeness.

Even more amazingly, it didn't stop there. We all felt the awe as the children's voices led us closer to our Savior... dare I say, closer than sermons written by adults will do.

Thank you, God, for giving me precious relationships with these, thy children. And thank YOU, my sweet children, for giving me a stronger relationship with our God.