I deserve it. It's a lesson I all but signed up to learn. If I've figured out just one thing in my life, it's this: when I think I know what I'm doing in life...a humorous Father in Heaven will mix things up a little.
Here's where Curtis comes in.
Let me begin by saying this: OH MY, that kid is adorable! He is. But now I know why he's so darn cute. It's a defense mechanism. Some sort of weapon skillfully used to keep him from getting what is really coming to him. Because, trust me, he's got it coming.
The most recent foray into trouble has been nursery: a two-hour battle of wills between my 3 year-old and his loving and patient nursery leaders. At first there may have been a slight chance they found his stubborn resistance to be at least humorous, if not somewhat endearing. And then he became Houdini.
He would spend his time skillfully analyzing each adults' position in relation to the door and, once they were far enough away, he would make a break for it. And believe me, that kid can run! He's made it to the parking lot at least twice before being caught. Each Sunday, as I sat contentedly with other adults, I would be forced to excuse myself in response to high-pitched screaming emanating from the foyer.
Last week I anticipated a repeat of what the previous weeks had brought. But as the hour ticked on, and no running feet or screams could be heard, I congratulated myself on my successful parenting. We had finally figured out how to combat his need for escape! (Yay, us!) After my class ended I happily meandered over to the nursery room to pick him up. The smile on my face soon melted as his sweet teacher cleared her throat and began,
"Well, we had a little bit of a problem today..."
Oh, no.
"Curtis was hitting..."
My heart sank.
"And choking."
Sweet mother of a badger!
And I suddenly recalled another nursery many years ago. I complained (aloud) about the mother of a boy in Lindy's nursery class who couldn't control her biting son.
Yup. My bad.