Evidence of Growth

Have been re-reading Little Men by Louisa May Alcott.

If our children's behaviour is the sole measure of parenting success, then I am an epic fail in many ways.

My girls are in no way domestic like Daisy, polite like Demi or helpful with chores the way the boys and girls at Plumfield are.

And yet, God reminds me that He is ultimately in charge and that He has not left me to my own limited intelligence, self-discipline, confidence or parenting skills.

While we were in Adelaide over Christmas, my 12 y.o. surprised us all one day when, while strolling down Rundle Mall, she saw a Macca's outlet and turning to us, asked "Who wants a soft serve cone?"

Then she got her wallet out, took out a $2 gold coin and went in - by herself - and came out again with a tray of four cones, one for each of us.

A month ago, I would not have thought her capable of such generosity to her family.

Six months ago, you could not persuade her to go to the counter at Macca's and order something unless Dad or Mum was by her side.

Her impatience with and lack of affection for her younger sister has been impossible for us to correct, hard for us to witness and even harder for the latter, who is constantly wishing jiejie would be nicer to her, or that she might have a different jiejie.

But on this day, my 12 y.o. exceeded all our expectations and gave us hope that God is still speaking to her and that she is still listening.

Even if most of the time, she is in her own virtual world of Tumblr posts and 5SOS updates.