Monday, April 05, 2010

Conversations with Maximus


As I'm hugging Max, just after spanking him for throwing a fit:

Me: Maximus, I do not like spanking you. It makes me so sad when you make choices that mean you have to get a spanking. I always hope that you can make good choices so that I won't have to spank you.
Max: (tears streaming down his face) But.. Mommy... It's really hard to go the whole day without making bad choices!
Me: I know, buddy. None of us can go a single day without making bad choices.
Max: Why?
Me: Because we are all sinners. That's why we need Jesus so much.
Max: But why did Jesus die for us while we were his enemies?
Me: Because He loved us so much that He wanted to make a way to forgive us of our sins so that we could be in His family.
Max: But Mommy, your only bad choices are arguing with Daddy.
Me: Oh, I have a lot more sins than that. Like when I'm lazy and don't do the work I should do. Or when I don't treat others with real kindness.
Max: Woh. That IS a bad choice.
Me: I know. Big time.

And then he smiles at me and scampers away to play, eyes red and swollen, but hopefully with the seeds of the Gospel planted in his tender heart.
.

6 comments:

Jonathan said...

Love this!!!

Amy

kelli said...

i love your conversations with maximus, cherissa! they are definitely helping me to be a better mom. thank you!

Anonymous said...

Your words pierced my own heart.... I need to stop being lazy and make a good choice to finish ALL my projects. Thanks Cherissa!

Alison said...

You are inspiring and such a good mom!

Soaring High said...

Those are the conversations correction needs to lead towards. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hey this Ally Tubach. I've been wanting to get ahold of you to ask you a question. If you could email me at allytubach@gmail.com I would really appreciate it. I love this post by the way! :) thanks!