{"id":2522,"date":"2012-01-31T01:00:54","date_gmt":"2012-01-31T09:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/?p=2522"},"modified":"2012-01-30T22:43:51","modified_gmt":"2012-01-31T06:43:51","slug":"lesson-in-a-coffee-shop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2012\/01\/31\/lesson-in-a-coffee-shop\/","title":{"rendered":"Lesson in a Coffee Shop"},"content":{"rendered":"

He’s charming in his little black coat. He leans forward in his stroller and makes a desperate, I-want-some-now<\/strong> noise. His mama smiles, gently waves her finger, and almost sings her quiet \u201cno\u201d while she holds the spoon back in her other hand. \u00a0He sits back and waits and the spoon travels to his mouth. He’s happy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Then the anxious sound again.<\/p>\n

Again the gentle counsel.<\/p>\n

Again the baby\u2019s quiet response.<\/p>\n

His mama perseveres, always waiting until he quiets himself before she gives him the next bite. Eventually he’s had enough to not fret between bites and happily eats when Mama offers more.<\/p>\n

I admire this mama\u2019s gentle wisdom. How often as my children have grown up have I made it harder to obey because of my attitude, my impatience, my tendency to set the stage for a battle of wills?<\/p>\n

A proverb comes to mind as I appreciate the interchange between this sweet mother and her child:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 16:21).<\/p>\n

Or as the Amplified Version translates, \u201cThe wise in heart are called prudent, understanding, and knowing, and winsome speech increases \u00a0learning (in both speaker and listener).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

I still have much to learn \u2026<\/p>\n

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(Artwork courtesy of Sascalia,\u00a0http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/Sascalia<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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