Here we go again. Time to reveal Lesson #3 from my girl child.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about writing this series is thinking back to years past. I mean, you don’t really think I just uncovered the lessons I’ve been sharing. Some of these ‘Mama’ moments started 10 to 15 years ago.
Hey, I’m all about learning from others. My daughter is a smart girl and a problem solver (and so is my 18 month old granddaughter; but that’s a story for another time) and she shares tips and tricks with me all the time.
I like that about her; even though she’s a young mama now and I’m the older mama, she has always embraced the motto: ‘Daughter’s don’t let their mama’s lag behind.’
There’s a sweet scripture in the book of Luke that describes my girl to a tee.
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38 ESV
Oh my goodness those are powerful words. Think about it like this. If we treat others with generosity, grace, and compassion–these same qualities will come back to you to the fullest extent. Sharing your gifts unselfishly is a wonderful way to show others you love them.
Now to the lesson.
This one isn’t rocket science, but rather a different perspective that has helped me work smarter, not harder. You know that old saying about doing what you’ve seen your mother or grandmother do–that was me.
My girl was home from college one weekend and found herself the designated cook. A big favorite for her is homemade chicken tenders. So she went about her work of cutting the chicken breasts into strips, getting the necessary eggs and milk out of the refrigerator, and then I handed her a dinner plate. You know, so she could put the dry ingredients on it to dredge the chicken.
She gave me the strangest look and said. “Oh mama, I don’t use a plate anymore; it’s too messy. I put all the dry ingredients in a gallon ziploc bag. I put the strips in the bag, shake it up and the mess just disappears.”
Really? I almost felt a bit embarrassed I hadn’t thought of that. It’s such a simple thing. So I did what any self-respecting, humbled mama would do–I watched her work. She put the typical dry ingredients in the bag (flour, salt, pepper,) and then I saw her sprinkle in the killer ingredient. The special something that made her chicken tenders delicious. It was an envelope of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix. Yes mam–that’s her secret weapon.
This mama learned two lessons from her then 20 year old daughter–chicken in a bag and the secret ingredient. And, that’s the way I’ve prepared chicken strips for over a decade. It just took me being open to try something new.
I might add that it helped that my girl child didn’t berate me for not having thought of this on my own. There was no judgment on her part, just a clear offering up of kindness, love, and a spirit of graciousness.
God’s word teaches us not to criticize, but instead to encourage others. We are to shower our neighbors with all the goodness and generosity we have stored up.
Tweet This“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
What lessons have you learned from others? I’m like a sponge; soaking up every bit of wisdom and teaching I can get.
I’m praying for you this week to be open and receptive to new ideas. Think about working smarter, not harder.
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