My friend Kathy Howard and me
Forever Friends is a favorite topic for my speaking audiences. I have skits in that talk to show what it means to have trusted and treasured friends and to be that kind of friend to others.
I am currently in a scheduling crunch with my writing and speaking ministry, but I had a blog post due today. “Help!” was the subject line in an email to my good friend Kathy Howard. Kathy is a TMI guest contributor so I asked her if she could help me with writing today’s post. Within 24 hours, Kathy sent me the following article which I know every mom is going to enjoy.
Thank you Kathy! I pray I am as good a friend to you as you are to me!
Diaper Pails, Brown Trails, and Hard-learned Lessons
By Kathy Howard
I spotted the brown goo on Micah’s hands as he crawled past me on the kitchen tile. What is that?
Taking a closer look, I discovered both of my 10-month-old grandson’s hands were smeared with something dark and sticky. The trail on the floor led from Micah’s current location in front of the refrigerator, out of the kitchen, across the hallway, and into his room.
I was talking to Kelley, Micah’s mother, on the phone. She had just called from work to check on us. As I followed the brown trail, I mentioned to Kelley that Micah had gotten into something and I was investigating.
When I entered the doorway of his room, the answer hit me. “Kelley, gotta go!”
Used diapers lay scattered and open on the floor. Their previous contents also dispersed in various locations on the hard wood floor and area rug.
I snatched Micah up and hurried to the bathroom. First, I conducted a thorough inspection of his face, lips, and mouth. Clean, thank you Lord! Next, I washed his hands and forearms, digging brown particles out from underneath his tiny fingernails. Amazingly, his clothes were goo-free.
The next step was the floor. I plopped Micah in his crib. From his safe vantage point, he watched Nana undo the mess he had made. Diapers. Brown blobs and smears. Floor. Carpet. Disinfectant.
I’m Still Learning . . .
Micah is my first grandbaby. My baby skills were shabby. Nana learned the hard way that the diaper pail is not baby proof. I also got a nasty reminder that it doesn’t take but a moment for little ones to get into something.
Caring for little ones requires diligence, constant supervision, and eyes in the back of your head. I dropped the ball this time, but I learned my lesson. Micah will not get in the diaper pail again on my watch.
Unfortunately, I don’t learn spiritual lessons as quickly. I get myself into a mess, my heavenly Father picks me up, cleans me up, and sets me on the right path. Sometimes I learn to avoid that mess, but sometimes, before long, I’m right back to the same gooey pile.
What about you? Has your heavenly Father cleaned up any of your messes lately?
Praise God, He is a loving Father who diligently and patiently trains us up in the way we should go. I want to be just like Him when I grow up.
Oh, Lord, help me to be quick to learn. Help me to respond to your discipline. And thank you for picking me up and cleaning me off, again and again.
Kathy Howard is a guest contributor for The Mom Initiative. You can find out more about her books and speaking ministry and get free resources at www.kathyhoward.org
Author and Speaker Kathy Howard
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