My baby is SEVEN years old! This year she had her party at the pool with all her Camp Adventure friends and the primary kids. She had an awesome time. However, that morning she and I had a long conversation about "presents." She said, " Mom, you hurt my feelings because whenever someone asks you about what gift they should bring me and you always say, "Don't worry about it, just come." I aked her why it made her mad? She said, " Because I want to get a lot of presents on my birthday and whenever you tell people not to worry about it, then that means I won't get presents from them." I said, "Is that all you want? Presents? Let me tell you, the greatest gifts do not come wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons. Can you tell me some of them?" She quickly replied while looking out the car window, " The sun, the rain, the earth, the flowers.." "Exactly!" I replied. Then I said, " Now tell me what you would rather happen today. Would you be happier when you go to the pool and there's a table stacked with presents but with no friends or family in sight or would you be happier if you came to the party and there were no presents on the table but you're surrounded with people that love you?" She replied, "I guess." Then I asked, "What are other gifts we are very thankful for that we recieve everyday?" She replies, "Prayer, parents..." And then I said, "but most of all..." Then she replies, "The Saviour." And I said, "That's right. And he's not wrapped in pretty paper. When I tell people not to worry about getting a present, it let's them know that we appreciate their love more than anything else. If they show up, we should be grateful." Another lesson in life.
