Put the Tools Up

     There is a magnetic kid force that pulls kids into the garage when Dad has out his tools.  True to this force, one morning Shea had assumed the position along side his father, Kevin, in the garage.  Knowing that Shea was undoubtedly getting in to the tools, Kevin would periodically say, "Shea, put the tools up." Shea would sometimes shoot a glance his way but continued working.  Growing nervous, again he checked in on his son only to find him with a screwdriver!  This time Kevin stopped working and went to him.  He looked at Shea, trying not to lose his patience and said, "Shea, I said put the tools up."  With a confused facial expression Shea slowly, briefly held the screwdriver up in the air toward the ceiling then innocently went back to the work he had been so intent on doing.
     Efficient communication requires the understanding of both parties involved.  Chances are if we are saying the same things over and over it is not the listener that needs adjusting, but perhaps the speaker.  Situations can be approached in so many ways!  If one approach does not work, keep an open mind. There is a big difference between being heard and being understood.

Jump Over it!

     One morning, my son decided to dump out his seemingly never ending bucket of mega blocks.  While I tried to finish getting ready for the day, he proceeded to build a tower.  One block at a time he gradually added story upon story to his mega block building.  With each added increment of height he would exclaim various shouts of excitement about how big it was: "Wow!" "Look how tall!" "Mom, isn't it big?"  He worked until he was sure it was the biggest tower that he could possibly make.  I looked at the giant tower in our hallway and asked, "Well, what are you going to do with it?"  Without hesitation, as if planned from the beginning he replied as if it was silly that I even had to ask..."I'm gonna jump over it."
     Life brings challenges.  Some are fun and some are rough.  None of us are immune to the inevitable mega block walls that pop up in our lives.  No matter the size let us face them with courage.  Knowing that with faith and the Lord's will aligned with our own, we too can 'Jump Over It."