Oops! Did I say that?

Chakara,Auntie Bernie & Talice (cousin)


"What's the matter Princess? Don't you want to spend the day with Auntie Bernie?"

These questions were asked by me to my niece ChaKara who had just been dropped off to spend the day with me. She shook her head yes she did but still looked sad. After a little prodding two big fat tears fell down her cheeks so of course I was even more convinced she didn't want to spend the day with me. Finally after much coaxing she said through her tears, "I don't want to do any work." Her mother had left instructions with me that she had to complete some extra work in homework books.
Before I realized, I said to her, "That's okay Princess, you don't have to do any work."

"Oops! what did I just say???"

It is so easy to think that no matter what we will always do the right thing but sometimes we fail dismally. I speak to teens in my church and community often about not making choices just because they want someone to like them. However, here I was, wanting my niece to have a fun day with me without tears so I made the wrong choice. While this may seem small that's how bad choices often start. One choice to do the wrong thing makes it easier next time.

Unfortunately for me, I'll probably have a more difficult time with my niece who when she visits me again will probably not expect to do any school work. Fortunately, I now have a ready answer, "Let's sit down and do it now Princess, then we have the rest of the day to relax and have fun." Hopefully, it'll work.