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Life’s Lessons

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Yesterday my day was completely arranged around a birthday party for my 13 yr. old daughter’s friend.
I had 4 boys 10 and under with me, drove Rachel to her friend’s house- 40 miles away, and only came about halfway home- trying not to use up too much gas, and keep the boys busy and happy for 3 hours, so she could enjoy the party.
When I drove the 20 miles back to pick her up, she had the nerve to ask me if she could spend the night there!
I was NOT happy!
I spent the afternoon wasting time close by, and now I find out I could have come home?
I almost said “No Way!”
But instead I told her that I had just wasted my time (which she must think is meant for trivial things like driving her around), and gas, to come pick her up.
I told her it was fine with me if she stayed.
The catch was, she had to give me gas money to drive back and pick her up when she wanted to come home.
Now, that might sound mean, but I think it was fair.
She wasted my time and my gas. She can’t buy my time back, but she can buy my gas.
She then handed me her money, gave me a hug, and I left.
Now, when I told my older daughter about this, you know what she asked me?
“Do you want us to give you some money to make sure you have enough gas to drive us to work in the morning?”
Maybe Rachel isn’t the only one who will take this to heart and learn a lesson from it.


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Family and Religion is about relationship issues within a family, from a Biblical Perspective. Parenting, Marriage, and other aspects of family life will be discussed by Jean Lockwood, wife of Pastor Dan Lockwood, and mother of 7 children. Jean will share her own experiences with the goal of encouraging, and offering hope and joy.

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