Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Teacher (10/26/06)
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TITLE: Valuable Instructor | Previous Challenge Entry
By Maryolyn Payne
10/27/06 -
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Teachers come in many forms, shapes, and sizes. One important kind of teacher is sometimes overlooked. Parent, as teacher, is a very valuable instructor.
When our two daughters were small they were big buddies. Since I was a stay at home mom, I realized the grave responsibility of trying to teach our daughters morality, as well as spirituality.
Remembering back to a time when there was a nice size peach tree almost on the property line, but it belonged to our neighbors. When spring came with all the new buds, blossoms, and then baby peaches, the girls ogled that peach tree with inquisitive eyes. We talked about the different stages of the tree and admired the beauty of each phase.
Once the peaches started maturing and the color started peeping out on the peach skins, the girl’s mouths began to water. I could almost read their minds. “Girls, you must remember that those peaches are not our peaches. You must not take them as that would be stealing. If the neighbors offer you one you may have it; otherwise leave them alone.”
The tree was close to our driveway. The children played there all the time. I’m sure; everyday they were eyeballing those peaches. One of those days their temptation overcame them. Somehow it reminded me of Eve in the garden of forbidden fruit. They each looked to see if I could see them. Not seeing me, each plucked a nice juicy peach ready to eat. They did not know I was looking out the front window and saw them. Just as they were getting ready for a nice succulent bite, I stepped out in their presence. With a total surprised look upon their innocent little faces they hid the fruit behind them.
“Well, girls what are you up to?” I asked, having to suppress a snicker bubbling in my throat.
“We’re just playin’,” Cristy said in a soft voice. Deanna stood very still and remained quiet. She was a little wiser than her younger sister.
“Are you holding something behind you?”
Both standing with their heads looking up at me answered with silence. I stood waiting for a reply. Nothing! Finally, Cristy said, “I gotta tinkle.”
“Show me what’s behind you, and then you may go.” Cristy looked at Deanna who stood like a whitened little ghost. Both had guilt laden expressions on their brows.
“How about it, Deanna? Do you want to show me what you have?”
“No, Ma’am,” she said looking to the ground, unable to look me in the eye.
“I suggest that you both show me. The sooner the better,” I firmly replied.
Without another choice, they held out the peaches. At the same time they both began to
wail.
“Uh, huh. I see you have disobeyed.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” they both sobbed.
“What do think we should do about this?”
Shrugging their shoulders they did not reply.
“Tell you what. Let’s go in the house, and I will show you what the Bible says about taking something that does not belong to you. Come now.”
“You see right hear in Ex. 20:15 God wrote the commandment, ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ God thought it important enough to tell us not to take what is not ours.”
They nodded their heads. “God’s Word is written for us to live by. We must learn to obey God.”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
“This is what you are to do, take the peaches and give them to the people they belong to.”
With horrified expressions they sat very quiet. “I will go with you, but you must tell them.”
Once the neighbor understood what happened she smiled kindly. “If it is all right with your mother, you may have the peaches,” Della said in a kind voice.
Looking up to me for approval, I said, “Remember, I told you if they offer you the peach it is alright,” I said with a half smile.
“Thank you,” Deanna said to her.
“Thank you,” repeated sister.
Returning home, I showed them another scripture in Eph. 6:28a. “See girls, it says, ‘Let him who stole steal no more.’ That is what I want you to understand. Don’t take anything that does not belong to you. That is called stealing, and Daddy and I don’t want that, but obey God.”
Shaking heads yes, they gave me a hug.
“I’m proud of you. I love you. Now, run out and play.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Deanna said as an echo resounded.
“I hope you enjoy your peach.”
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