How well do you know your children? Knowing another person is much like diving into a banana split. First you “meet” the cherrie on top, then the nut sprinkles. Next comes, in that tasty bite, the light and airy whipped cream.
Once you make it through all those layers, next comes the ice cream. Now, if you’re like me, I prefer multiple flavors. So each flavor of ice cream comes with its own unique taste. But not to be ignored are the flavorful toppings mixed throughout the ice cream itself. For some, it is butterscotch topping that must be added; for others it is chocolate or strawberry.
And then finally, we get to the banana itself – the heart of the treat itself. Its soft and chewy flavor is greatly desired and the perfect finish to an absolutely delicious treat. In fact, my salivary glands are pumped and ready for such a thing now, even as we speak!
As Mormons, we know that the Lord blesses each of His children with unique gifts, perspectives and abilities; within each of those abilities comes value and priceless-ness.
But what if I’m a “chocolate” flavoring kind of person, and my child comes dripping with “strawberry toppings” – what then? For example, perhaps I see myself as serious and feel that work should come before all pleasures . . . but my child is different? What if my child believes that life is joyous and beautiful and meant to be absorbed at the fastest rate possible? On the surface it might appear the child has no work ethic. But what if he or she actually is manifesting a gift I’ve not yet tasted the joy of? Perhaps my child sees that people are placed here on this earth to be relished and that this can only happen through engaging in others in wondrous, social ways – a joyful insight I might not have considered?
The conflict of our two personalities could be great if I did not stop to ask the Lord for help in seeing the value of my child’s strengths (and even weaknesses – remember that we are taught that weakness can bring us closer to the Lord is we only but ask – see Ether 12:27).
Yes indeed, each child of God is a multi-layered priceless entity. So it well might be good to ask the Lord each day for the eyes to see the wondrous nature of every one of our children. Their version of an ice cream banana split might be layered differently than my own, but I daresay it is equally as priceless and delightful in the eyes of God.
The way to value each child is to get to know them. I’ll be providing some fun ways to do that in the next few blogs, so check back often!
