Here’s the song reference.
Beanie is a notorious grump when she rolls out of bed in the morning; like her father, she is not a morning person, and she is not bashful about letting the entire world know her feelings about the hours before noon. She shambled out around eight o’clock, grumbling unintelligibly and whining a plaintive, “Nooooooooooooooooooo, I don’t want anything to drink,” when I offered her a choice between milk and cider for a waking-up beverage.
About half an hour later, as I was emptying the dishwasher and trying not to wake up the Y-chromosomed contingent, all of whom enjoy a good opportunity to sleep in, she stomped into the kitchen and announced, “I’m hungry now. I want scrambled eggies, please.”
I patiently explained, at least five times, that we only have a couple of eggs left, and I needed those for something I’ll be cooking later today. This state of affairs was quite unacceptable to Beanie, and she proceeded to spend the next fifteen minutes whining wordlessly about the injustice of it all. Finally, after I had baked a batch of cheese biscuits, she complained that she did not WANT biscuits, she WANTED her breakfast to smile at her. I reminded her that I only respond to properly phrased requests.
“Will you make me a breakfast that smiles at me, please?”
“That’s better. I have apples and yogurt.”
“I DON’T WANT APPLES AND YOGURT!”
After I sighed, prayed, and counted to ten, I explained to her that today is the day we need to eat what we have in the refrigerator, since there is a storm coming that might knock out our power for a few days. I also explained that we should thank God for what we have, and that it is completely possible to turn apples and yogurt into a smiling plate of breakfast. What sealed the deal was getting her to understand that she could dip her apples in her yogurt. Beanie is an inveterate dipper.
“Okay. I just want to make sure it smiles at me.”
Sure, I could be stern and tell her she’ll eat what she’s given and like it, but it’s been a stressful few days around here for reasons that have little to do with the coming weather event; Nonno is in the hospital again, and we’re all worried about him and Deedaw. I’m also trying not to fall into the habit of commanding instead of persuading; I don’t want to set a dictatorial example for our little blessings, the eldest of whom is bossy enough as it is.
Moments later, I presented her with a plate:
This was quite acceptable to Beanie.
Today’s prayer: Lord, You have provided abundantly for all our needs. Help me teach Your blessings to give thanks always for your bounty, but grant me the wisdom and grace to teach the lesson with gentleness and love. Grant that I may make our home a peaceful haven no matter what storms may rage in the skies or the streets, and keep me mindful that we are saved in You.
Lord, please comfort, guard, and strengthen the emergency responders and the utility linemen, and all those who seek shelter or flee from the coming storm. Open our eyes to those who need a share of the blessings You have given us.
dailymomprayers 