Me First

Judah has good self-esteem.

Something, actually, i'm very proud of. Proud that he feels he knows his place, he knows he's loved, and he knows no matter what, mommy & daddy are going to love him.

On the Flip side..

Judah likes to be first. Judah likes to be the loudest. Judah likes to be the fastest. Judah likes to be the best at everything he does, even when he's not the best. He gets very disappointed when he is not "the best" in others eyes.

A couple weeks ago i asked the kids if they wanted a snack. They proceeded to follow me into the kitchen and get a snack. Judah kept telling Jocelyn "me first me first" and giving her little shoves to get to me first.

I took the opportunity to do a little one on one teaching.

I told him of the passages in Mark 9 where Jesus disciples are talking about which one of them is greater than the rest. Jesus tells them "whomever is first, shall be last, whomever is last shall be first." I used this as an example of how Jesus wants us to think of others before we think of ourselves.

I explained to Judah instead of shoving and asking to always be first, be the leader, and be the best. It is important to look around and make sure everyone else is being taken care of.

This simple illustration has grown into something that is pretty cute at our home.

Now when i offer a snack Judah will always let Jocelyn go first, because when he allows his sister to go first i started giving him his snack first even when he was "in line" behind her.
After a few days of him being 2nd in line and getting his snack first, i started giving it to Jocelyn first. It was so sweet to see his face light up because she was getting her snack first. My heart smiled because i felt like he got it.

Now don't see him and expect him to always be last, it's not his personality. But it was a sweet, intimate, and safe way for him to show his sister love in action. Love motivated by the life of Jesus.

Unselfish.  Love.