Three pairs of dirty underwear in the diaper pail. And one swimsuit.

Three occasions with dialogue summarized as:
“Did you poop in your panties? Why didn’t you tell me?!?”
“Look! That is gross! Here is a wipe- clean that up off the floor.”
“You are not in trouble because you had an accident. You are in trouble because you didn’t tell me. You were hiding it from me, and that is being deceitful.”

Clean underwear. Hugs. Reiterating the lesson learned. (or not learned, as the case has been.)

Yesterday I was having a hard time letting it go. The kid was making me nuts. She was deliberately not telling me she had to go, and then hoping I wouldn’t find out. After we had dealt with the clean up and consequences the last time, I was still ticked. I found myself being distant and short with her… giving the cold shoulder to my toddler (how mature, Mom.)

And then the Lord tapped me on the shoulder. I have a list of character qualities, one for each day of the month, that I use to pray for my children. Of course, yesterday’s was mercy! So, as I was being petty and distant and trying to show her that I was mad at her, the Lord whispered to my heart, “What are you teaching her? Is this what mercy looks like?”

Nope. I’m teaching her to be petty and begrudging and mean. Is there a problem with that?

And so it goes… it is amazing how God works out the process of sanctification in our lives. Sometimes even with poop and Elmo underwear.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36