Danni was trying her best to make it to the end of the tunnel, until she encountered a small bump in the road: A PUDDLE. All I heard her say in disgust was, "IT'S WET!!"  and then quickly retreated. Bet the kids with soaked jeans wished they had followed her cue!

I can usually count on my kids to tell me the truth. We have been hardcore about it since birth, and we try at all costs to stress the importance of avoiding a "lying tongue". Yet lately, I have noticed that Eden is trying to sneak in little manipulations to cover her sins. Since her father is a detective and basically a human lie detector, and I am, well, a MOM, she is beginning to understand that pulling the wool over our eyes is not an option.

This tale begins yesterday, with magnets. Magnets. Why this is the center of the lie I am about to share I will never know. I was in August's room, changing Titus' diaper. August was in there with me, until right before I left the room. I entered the kitchen to find Eden playing with tiny magnets on the fridge. Magnets I typically keep higher up so the younger ones cannot reach.

No, this is not our fridge, but how cool are these homemade magnets? (photo credit)

I asked her who moved the magnets and she replied with a quick "August". Knowing there was no way he could reach, I made him come to the fridge and stand next to it.
"He's too short to reach, Eden," I replied. "Now, who moved these magnets?"
Her wheels turning, she replied, "Oh, he took one of my princess chairs from my room to stand on to reach it".
"Where is the chair now? I don't see it in the kitchen", I asked, wondering how far this little lie would escalate.
"Oh, he took it to the laundry room", she replied, eyes shifting.
"Cool, ok, then go get it for me, then". (She called my bluff by exiting the kitchen to "check" for the chair in the laundry room. Yeah, right. I was not born yesterday.)
"Um, it's not in there", she said, beginning to fidget. "I guess he took it back to my room".
"Hmm. Well, if he had the time to leave me to get the chair, move the magnet, and then return the chair to your room, he must be super, super fast, huh? Now, who do you think moved the magnets?"
Her head fell. "I did".
"Why did you choose to lie about it?", I asked.
"I didn't know what to say. I mean, I did move them. I just didn't want you to know".

Admission of guilt. It's a beautiful state of brokenness, because it offers room for correction. She was humbled and then was able to take in the importance of truthfulness:


So, what have we learned today, kids? God hates lies, and I can effectively "break" a talebearer along with Captain Elkins. Our kids do not stand a chance.

Yesterday we took our annual trip with Chi Rho Kids to the zoo during the Penguin Discount Days (translation: half price admission!) It is a trip I look forward to every year. I can remember on a Chi Rho Kids trip years ago, when Ramey would push Eden in her STROLLER. Yesterday, all the older girls were running around, holding hands, and having a total blast. (Pause for a moment: I just referred to Eden as one of the "older girls". Siiigh...)

Yet, as we are into our fourth year as Chi Rho Kids, it has become more than just a group of moms getting their kids together to play. It has turned into a community of strong women who fear the Lord, love children and desire to train them in His way. I forget that sometimes. I forget that when I am exhausted, stressed, lonely, or just plain grouchy, that they are there. To offer an encouraging word. A funny story. A kind offer to carry a tired toddler without being asked. Just because.

And this hope springs among all mothers. It is funny how quickly motherhood can humble us. Before you become a parent, and you see an unruly toddler in a restaurant or at the store, you haughtily glare as the child seems to be an inconvenience to you, and you proudly mutter to yourself that when you have kids, you will never let them act that way. Own it, moms. We have all said it. But, then. Oh then. You are in the hot seat, and your child is acting ugly in front of that same, judgmental crowd. Can I offer a suggestion? Pray for that mother. Pray for that child. Right there in the Target Cafe. Or the busy parking lot. We have all been there, in the trenches. We need to stick together in this crazy, yet grand design called motherhood.

"Therefore encourage one another & build up one another" (1 Thess.5:11) Not sure that is what this beaver is doing!

Tasha took the "stats" at yesterday's gathering, and we had four moms, two dads, and ten kids, all age seven and under. This is not counting some of our "regulars" that were unable to attend. Most of the time the kids in our stroller were not even our own, while our kids were watching the zebras with one of the other families. It is the perfect recipe to show God's love to each and every child.

"So, then we pursue the things which make for peace & the building up of one another". Romans 14:19

So, this week, may I ask you to take the time to encourage another mother? I don't care if you think it is too late to call. It is not. She needs it. Parenting is a process. All is grace. And, if you want to be a part of a community of mothers who offer healthy snacks and sometimes junk food, have the ability to singlehandedly  take five kids to a public restroom at the same time, and who will climb through a tiny barn meant for small children, only to have an unknown child look at you and say, "Oh that's not a monster. It's just someone's mom!", then I have just the friends for you.