Yesterday I was trying to help my four-year-old son to make his bed.
“I need your help!” He kept whining.
For the fifth time in a row, I kindly explained that he needed to pick up his book, and take off the toys that were on his bed, and then I could help him to know what to do next
“It’s too hard, I need your help!” He cried as he sprawled on the floor, hands and legs out-stretched. I tried to explain, that although he wanted me to make the bed for him, in giving him these detailed instructions, I was helping him, so that he could make the bed.
“Just let me know when you have taken those couple of things off your bed, and then I’ll come back”. He groaned, and stayed on the floor.
I was glad that I was being strong, and not giving in. He would never be able to learn how to make his bed on his own, if I didn’t make him start to do it himself. I wished I’d done this sooner. It made me think about our Heavenly Father, and what I’ve been learning recently. God DOES help people, but often, we don’t realize that He is, because we want him to just take the burden away, and fix it for us. Instead, He gives us the inspiration, or the first step, and we have to do that first. In this way, He IS helping us.
“MOM, I hurt my head!” I came in his room, and gave him comfort. And yes, Heavenly Father is ALWAYS there to comfort us when we need Him.
“I need your help!” He pouted, as I kissed his head.
“I AM helping you. All you have to do, is to follow the first step I gave you. If I made the bed FOR you, then it would be ME who made the bed, and I want to see YOU do it!”
I left the room again, wondering how long this process would take.
A few minutes later, “Mom, I bumped my head!”
Again, I went into his room. This time, he was on his bed, he had bumped his head on the bunk bed above him. I had more compassion for him this time, since he had been following my instructions. “You did it!” I said. I kissed his little head, and praised him for his efforts. “Now I can give you the next step!”
I explained how he needed to pull up the sheet that had been hiding at the end of his bed. I brushed off some crumbs I noticed on the bed, and pushed off the quilt to give him some room. He pulled the sheet up, and I showed him how to straighten the corners. He began to follow my instructions more quickly, and soon we had the bed made. Afterwards, I had him pick up a few items that were left on the floor. He grumbled about it, still wanting me to do it for him, but he did it, and soon the room was clean.
“Now look at how great your room looks!”. He looked at the room, “And the best part is, you made the bed all by yourself!” He smiled up at me. He felt that feeling of self confidence. There’s no way to give that to someone. They have to take the steps themselves. I think I got the message too. Thanks Heavenly Father!