Quality Time

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend. Proverbs 27:9

It was the school’s springtime break for my oldest daughter Carla. Carla is a teacher and looks forward to this week of free time to regroup. She likes to establish a few goals for her week’s break to ensure she spends the days most wisely.

It happened on this particular year that she planned to spend a couple of hours of time alone with each of her close-by nieces and nephews. So, one-byone, she arranged to have them with her at her house.

Five-year-old Kyle was the first to come. The two of them baked cupcakes together. They played games, enjoyed snacks and talked about important
things on their hearts.

A couple of days later it was four-year-old Kassie’s day to come. Carla and Kassie mixed together icing for the cupcakes and frosted one-half of them in beautiful spring colors. Auntie Carla and Kassie also played games and chattered together.

Next, it was two-year-old Alyssa’s day with her auntie. Alyssa and Carla iced the tops of the last of the cupcakes and of course ate one or two. They giggled on the floor over a game of Spider.

A few days later, after Carla had gone back to school, Rachel came from Virginia for a week’s visit. Auntie Carla likes to enjoy her far-away nieces and nephews as much as the close-by ones so she planned a date evening with Rachel’s five-year-old Sierra.

The two had a marvelous time chattering, snacking and shopping together. Then Carla found a time slot for two-year-old Aleya, as well. They put little decorations on cookies and played funny games like “Peas Porridge Hot, Peas Porridge Cold.”

I stood back and watched the hearts of the little ones after these special times with their aunt. I was convinced that they knew a little more of the Father’s compassionate care for each of them individually
through these special times alone with Carla.

Prayer: Lord God, please give every child a special person that spends individual time with them regularly. Amen.

Ponder: Sometimes, as mothers, we can invite an older single person, an aunt or uncle to spend quality time with our children. It really does
speak the compassion of Christ into their lives.

~Donna Kauffman