Mother looked into Danielle’s innocent blue eyes and adored her butter ‘n curls.

Danielle’s blond curls brushed her mother’s shoulder as she peered into the stew pot from the barstool. Each afternoon, she watched as her mother prepared dinner. She pretended to stir, twirling her soda straw as if it were a spoon.

The Cooking

 

“Sweetheart,” Mother said, handing her daughter the squeeze butter and dinner rolls, “please help Mommy by putting these on the table.”

Danielle’s mother continued to stir, content that her daughter was away from the boiling stew. Suddenly, Mother realized the house was quiet.

“Danielle, are you alright?” Mother called.

Danielle was fine, but she drew little butter faces on the dining room table. “I did just what you told me to do,” she responded. “Umm, Mommy, these taste good!”

For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ~Psalm 139:13-14 KJV

Mother looked into Danielle’s innocent blue eyes and adored her butter ‘n curls. Enough with my To-Do list, she thought. She had many chores vying for her attention, but she knew what she would do. Today, she thought, I will focus my attention on this precious daughter of mine. So, she lifted her little girl, handed her an oversized wooden spoon, and approached the stove. Together, mother and daughter stirred the stew.

The Lesson

“We’ll fix dinner together until you’re a big girl,” her mother said. “But soon, you’ll be able to cook on your own.” Mother opened her recipe book. “Do you want to make cookies?”

Danielle’s eyes widened. She shook her head yes and squealed.

“Well then, pick out a mixing bowl.”

Danielle reached for the biggest bowl. Her mother giggled, imagining what the flour would look like in her daughter’s wispy hair. Surely it would encase those butter ‘n curls. Did it matter, though? She was determined to help her daughter discover her God-given talents.

Today, Danielle makes the best desserts around. But how did she become such a gifted cook? It began on the day her mother recognized the significance of butter and curls.

God deposits innate abilities within each of His children. As parents, therefore, we have the responsibility to provide the resources and opportunities necessary for our children to develop them.

Share ways you can help your children find their God-ordained talents.

Lord Jesus, help me to provide opportunities for my children that will help them develop the abilities You have placed within them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Creative non-fiction

Copyright 2016: Butter ‘n Curls: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved