Usually I try to make a conscious effort not to gush about my 3 great kids, but sometimes you just gotta tell somebody!  I was so proud of Madison tonight (my 10yo).  About a week ago she entered a photography contest at school.  We went to a nearby farm & she took pictures.  True to her personality, she allowed me to direct a few shots but would not let me TOUCH the camera in any way.  This was not as much an independence issue as it was an obsession with following the rules – “the picture HAS to be taken by the student,” she repeatedly quoted from the entry form.  She was even a little nervous about me “editing” the photo to change it from color to sepia.  “Are you SURE this is allowed, Mom?” she asked, and we had to go over all the information several times to be positive.    Brian has always been very ‘by the book’ – thank goodness at least one of our children has inherited that trait!  The next step, choosing which pictures to enter, was (however) more a reflection of me – she just couldn’t make a final decision.  I suggested she sleep on it, and then decide in the morning.  She went to bed & I told her during her prayers to ask God to help her choose.  The next day she turned them in, confident that the ones she picked were the best of the batch, but still not convinced that her shots were “good.”  Of course I told her they were the most amazing pictures I had ever seen, but her reply was, “Are you sure you’re not just saying that ‘cause you’re my Mom?”  I reminded her that I’m very honest when I think she has done something that needs improvement, and that I would tell her if I thought she had not done her best.  She agreed.
Well, tonight on the way home from church she got a call.  The excited lady on the line informed me that they loved Madison’s picture of the little girl on the fence, that it had won First Place in its category, and that if Madison was there she would like to talk to her.  I handed the phone to Madison, who listened for a moment, then from the backseat screamed, “REALLY?  THANK YOU!  REALLY?!  THAT IS AWESOME!!!  FIFTY DOLLARS?!?!  REALLY?!?!?   OK, THANK YOU!!”  I got all the details from the highly amused woman who commented that this was her favorite part of her job.  We had not realized that money was part of the prize, so naturally Madison started to contemplate what to do with it.  The first thing she said was, “I think I’ll give Rebekah some, since she let me take her picture.  And I’ll let Jackson have some too, so he won’t feel left out.”  I was beaming as I tucked her in, and we thanked God for blessing her with this newfound talent, and helping her to reach a goal. 
AWWW! My cup runneth over…  I was so proud of her accomplishment in the contest, but I was a hundred times more pleased with her attitude about it.  We may be proud of what we are accomplishing in life, but God is more concerned about how we go about it.  Have we gained our success honestly?  Did we consult God in the process?  Are we humble?  Have we done our best?  When we receive an unexpected blessing, is our first thought to bless others?  Do we remember to thank God for the answered prayers and guidance that helped us to achieve our goals?  I love how my Heavenly Father uses the very kids I teach to teach me lessons every single day!
Lori Bush   lbush777@gmail.com