Precious

Y'all know I am not one to use this space for going on and on about how perfect my kiddos are. That would be a) annoying, b) misleading -- they're humans! Just like me!, and c) far more pressure than any child should have to bear. They're children, not parenting trophies.

But every once in a while, I get a glimpse of the beautiful people they are becoming. And since I share plenty of the mundane and even some toady moments around here, I can't be stingy with the diamonds.

My kids' AWANA club is having a Penny Drive this month. Eliza's level is competing against Ian's level for the most generous contributions for our AWANA missionaries (folks who serve full-time in our area to support all the AWANA clubs -- that's about all I know).

Eliza decided that she wanted to give ALL her money. And she did. She rounded up all the allowance she's been given for the past several weeks, since she never spends it on anything except loans to her brother, swept it into a business-size envelope, and lugged the clinking thing to club tonight.

"Are you sure?" I asked -- but only once, since a generous impulse is not to be trifled with. And after all, what's our money for? More plastic trinkets Made in China?

She was very sure.

She gets it. More than I do, even. And I'm feeling rather humbled by the simple wisdom of a five year old.