Bethany Well

A couple months ago, Theresa and I went out to go shopping and we came home with two new pairs of shoes for Chloe. A pair of nice pink satin-y shoes and a pair of casual green shoes. So, when we get home, we sit her down to try on the new shoes.

We put the pink shoes on her and they fit. Then we take them off to try on the green shoes.  That’s when I rapidly realized that though Richie and Chloe may be similar in genetics, they are quite different in gender. As we started to take off the pink shoes, she began to fuss. As we reached for the green shoes, a full-out tantrum ensued.

I had never seen this sort of tantrum before with Richie, because he never cared what he wore. I be sometimes, he wouldn’t notice whether he was wearing the pirate monkey tanktop or the David Wright Jersey.

As I sat there staring at my squirming squealing squirt, I realized the power of Choice.

This was Chloe’s way to exert her control by choosing which shoes she wanted on her feet. Unfortunately for my eardrums and my sanity, the only way she can express that choice is through squirming and squealing.

I wonder what I look like when I am trying to exert my control by choosing things for myself, when God has some other intention in mind for me. I may not whine like a 1 year old, but I bet I’m just as stubborn and twice as stupid. And after all that, sometimes I’m just making a big deal about something as significant as footwear.

Written by: RjL on June 9, 2008.