child of God

The other night, Eli did something that will stick in my mind forever. It had been a long day filled with the challenges an energetic young boy can provide, and I was stressed. I ended up doing something I strive really hard to avoid: I raised my voice to him. (I was raised in a loving family, but a family of yellers, and that is one thing I do not want to pass on.) He stopped what he was doing, clearly surprised. Immediately afterwards I sat down and apologized, almost starting to cry out of frustration, and thinking he was going to cry as well. Then something incredible happened. Eli didn't cry; instead he came over to me and started rubbing my leg and saying "Mommy" in a very comforting manner over and over. Then he crawled up on the couch and hugged me. I was so touched by his actions. How can a two and a half year old, who according to all the books should be going through his selfish-independent phase, show such amazing compassion and selflessness? We just sat there and hugged for awhile, and then he went back to playing. But in that brief moment, God gave me an insight into the man of God He's already shaping Eli into. I became aware that even in little moments that parents can pass off as insignificant, God is shaping our childrens' character and integrity. Out of a moment of heated frustration came what will be one of my favorite moments ever with my child. A moment that pointed me to my creator, my God who can use any situation to show me His love for us.