Never asked to borrow a penny since...

This is a true story. The names have been changed to protect the innocent (yeah right)...

One day, a brilliant mother and her beautiful daughter, we'll call her Kate, went to the store to buy some things.

While they were there, Kate spied an item that she simply couldn't stand to go home without. She inquired of her mother if she might buy it for her. Her mother, being the brilliant one that she is, asked Kate if she had any money at home with which to repay her for the item. Kate replied, "No."

So, the brilliant mother told Kate that she would purchase the item for her "on credit" but that she would expect her to repay her for it. Kate quickly, happily and quite willingly agreed.

After arriving back at their meticulously kept home (oh hush, it's my story!) the brilliant mother began having Kate busy herself with various and sundry chores. Kate was not pleased at the added work, but complied anyway. The day came and went and Kate enjoyed her newly aquired item.

The next day, the brilliant mother set Kate to doing all sorts of things around the house again. Things that Kate was not normally asked to do. Finally after nearly another entire day of this Kate exclaimed, "Why are you treating me like a slave!!!" (In her most dramatic tone, some of you have heard it!)

With a knowing smile the mother replied, "Because dear, you owe me money, and you haven't yet repaid the debt. You see Kate, the Bible says, in Proverbs 22:7, 'The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.' You have made yourself a slave to the one from whom you've borrowed money, and that would be me."

Lesson learned, the brilliant mother agreed that the debt had been worked off and thus repaid. She then explained the dangers of borrowing money - for anything no matter how small - and told her beautiful daughter how unpleasant it truly feels to work all of the time just to repay your debts.

Kate has never asked to borrow money again. In fact, her grandmother offered to "spot her" some money to buy something she wanted when the two of them were out shopping together one day, and the now brilliant daughter said, "No, thank you. I'll wait until I have the money and buy it later." Ah, smart girl.

That precious one would be my Anna Kate, and she will make some lucky young man a great catch one day!! The brilliant mother with the immaculate house was me - absolutely no resemblance to the real thing :o) Now, I've just got to remember to use the same tactic with Sarah Beth when she gets a few years older!

I am desperately leaning on His wisdom in trying to train my children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and teaching them to trust that EVERY word in the WORD is there and useful for a reason - our good and His glory.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Abiding in His grace,
Lori