02.26.10
Kids and Organization
Recently, I set down with my 6 year old son. We talked about his room and how he might “steward” his stuff better. He confessed he doesn’t like to throw stuff away and likes to keep it all under his bed. As I have watched him hoard things from small little papers to candy from previous holidays; I have noticed the boy needs some patient and firm training in organization.
Organization naturally flows in you or not. Those that have it see life in orderly categories and “stuff” as a positive challenge to organize. Others, don’t get it, are frustrated by it, and or resist it. Many learn the skill and have to discipline themselves to stay on top of organization, or the chaos is overwhelming. Organized or not, we are image bearers of God, meant for reflecting Jesus. We can all learn from one another and worship in our strengths and our weaknesses.
Practical project: My second son needed some guidance. We brought 3 opened paper bags into his room. We pulled all the stuff off his shelf, under his bed, and in his drawer. Facing a mountain of items to process, I helped him see how to approach it. I showed him to consider each item quickly. Then- place it in one of the 3 bags. 1: trash (obvious junk- don’t need to keep). 2: Not sure (ask mom about) 3. Keep (and find a home to put it) He processed the pile and asked me to come back in the room. It took him about 30 minutes and he had successfully filled the trash bag. We discussed the 2nd bag and found homes for the 3rd bag’s items. He saw the order in the project and seems delighted to do it. I complemented him on being “teachable” and willing to learn from momma, we exchanged warm affection at the job we did together, and I believe he felt loved by the learned skill. I talked to him about stewardship and how when we take care of God’s stuff, we are showing him a thankful heart.
Heart lesson for me from little lesson with my son: Motherhood sanctifies me. It takes God’s strength to lovingly and patiently teach my children. They are gifts from God and I have the immense responsibility to steward them. As I was setting on my son’s bed with him chatting about organization and stewardship, I had a beautiful moment of practical love from the Lord. As I teach my children how to steward God’s varied grace, I am stewarding the child (a gift from the Lord). I tremble with the weight of this responsibility and praise God that I get to love and steward these children.
Kathleen said,
March 18, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Awesome! We’re really trying to weed through Isaac’s stuff, so I think we’ll try the “three bag” technique. And, um, maybe I’ll do that for my stuff too.