The Hallelujah Dance

Yesterday we went to a grocery store on the far east side of town. It's a really fun place (albeit a bit on the grungy side at times), where higher-end brand groceries come to rest just before their expiration date. I went with some friends a few years ago, and have enjoyed the treasure hunt of "What's here today" each time I've gone.

While shopping yesterday, a lady perusing the same aisle as us, saw my girls and asked Olivia how she was doing. It's become a bit of a joke amongst our friends to ask this of Olivia, because she always has the same answer. Not missing a beat, she smiled at the lady and said in her chipper voice: "I'm doing berry well!". I'm not sure what the lady expected, but when she heard this, her jaw nearly hit the floor. Once she'd collected herself, she went into a dance right there in the aisle, hopping around and saying: "Oh, praise you Jesus! What a polite little girl! Umm-ummm...gotta do a hallelujah dance over this!" She then turned to me and said: "Gimme a high-five for raising that one right, baby!"

I high-fived the joyful woman, and giggled a bit after she'd moved on. What took place in those moments has caused me to do a bit of reflecting this morning. I'm reminded that for all of the craziness of parenting, that we are getting somewhere. I'm encouraged to keep fighting the good fight in training our girls, because Olivia didn't come up with that phrase on her own. It's a product of our daily working with her. It's HARD work, but the fruit is showing up.

I've also been reflecting on what a healthy does of charisma can do for one's parenting. It isn't often that someone is physically moved because of my girl's good manners. Talk about encouraging! For as much child-rearing advice can be given and received, maybe it's time we let loose a bit and did a little more dancing in the grocery store aisles when we see that good fruit appear.

To my Mama friends, keep up the good work! Be diligent. Be consistent. Hang in there. The fruit is coming, and growing in sweeter ways as these little ones receive Godly instruction. You're doing well! And if you happen to meet me in the grocery store someday, I'll be sure to praise the Lord with a little hallelujah dance of my own.