Setting: Daddy is trying to put together some cardboard boxes for use as storage containers. They come flat so it requires some bending and folding. Jacob is trying to help Daddy but keeps stepping on the boxes and the DVD boxes laying around which will go into the cardboard boxes.
Daddy: Jacob, don't step on the movies.
Jacob continues to step on the movies. He also keeps trying to "help" Daddy but this is not very helpful.
Daddy: Jacob, I told you don't step on the movies.
Jacob continues to step on the movies and "help" Daddy. Daddy loses his temper.
Daddy [in a too loud and too angry voice]: Jacob! I told you! Don't step on the movies!
Jacob curls his bottom lip, droops his head, turns slowly away and walks to his room. Daddy stays angry for about 10 seconds longer before he feels really bad about getting too angry to Jacob. Daddy goes into Jacob's room and sees Jacob curled up in a corner behind his rocking chair. Daddy feels really, really bad. He knells before Jacob.
Daddy: Jacob, Daddy is sorry he got so angry with you. He should not have raised his voice like that. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?
Jacob [looking up at Daddy]: I don't want to fight.
Daddy feels really, really, really bad. He takes Jacob into his arms and hugs him.
Daddy: Jacob, I love you. You know that I will...
Jacob [noticing a toy box next to him]: Look, Bob the Builder.
A sweet story! It tells so much of the essence of life. It also demonstrates how simply a child approaches forgiveness, just as we should. Once it is reconciled they are ready to move on and forget, absolutely and totally, what has happened. A good title for a lesson on forgiveness is "Look, Bob the Builder"!
ReplyDeleteThis story also demonstrates how much a child wants to be part of your life, to share, to help, to be needed. Jacob loves to help and always is willing to help his Daddy Luke in any way he can.