Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Mr. Stinky Attitude

Our morning went as usual yesterday. Breakfast had been eaten, bible read, prayers said, girls dressed. Dishes were being put away. Silver spoons transferred to their familiar dwelling place, see-through drinking glasses lined in a row, earth-colored plates stacked like a tower, familiar little-girl chit-chat mixed in with mama's frequent reminders to stay on task, baby--sitting at counter--contemplating the ingesting of the washrag, now that her bananas were finished.

Then it struck. Like a poison. It started first as an indignant shout. From one sister to another. Rights had been violated. Feelings hurt. Indignant shout was justified by the sender.

What if she was allowed this?

What if she continued this way through her life?

See the lake of bodies in her path. See the broken bridges. See the disarray.

I sighed. I hadn't wanted to mention the visitor that had come to stay with me for far too long. I had wanted to keep him a secret. I didn't want anyone to know he had been allowed in my home. But I have a responsibility to share with the girls what could happen if they let him come and stay with them. Stooping low, anguish eyes meeting sullen eyes. My beloved daughter, let me tell you a story.

When I was a young girl, much like yourself, I heard a loud rasp at my door. I opened up the door wide and there stood a boy, with a crisp, white shirt. He had nice pants on, too. His shoes had just been shined. He asked if he might come in for just a minute or two.

"What do you think I said?" I asked the wide eyes staring at me.

"I don't know," she whispered.

I told the boy to come on in! I made him comfortable, gave him some lemonade to drink. I put his feet up on a stool, and I asked him to stay awhile. And you know what? He did! He stayed, and he stayed and he stayed. No longer, though, did he have a crisp white shirt or shiny shoes. Over time, his shirt had became crumpled and stained, his shoes were in tatters. He slept on the couch day after day after day and made a complete mess of my house. Garbage was everywhere. And he was mean! He had a stinky attitude. His attitude was so stinky and he made such a mess that I started calling him Mr. Stinky Attitude. With Stinky Attitude around, my house just got messier and messier and he started moving around to other parts of my house, messing things up. After while it was hard to go visit my sister and my friends and my parents, because of the mountain of mess in the way.

"I'm not talking about my house, am I?" I asked my girl.

"No, you're talking about your heart," she said with a sheepish look.

"yes," I said.

Amazement set in. She understood that. But of course, maybe because she recognizes the story. Don't we all?

I continued.

I had all but given up. I thought Stinky Attitude was going to stay in my house, making messes, forever. I forgot I had asked him to come in. If I had asked him in to my house, surely I could ask him to leave. I finally got the courage to ask Mr. Stinky Attitude to leave. He didn't want to. I had to drag him out. And let me tell you--he didn't go quietly. He hung on to the door jam and finally I had to kick him out. And he didn't take his mess with him, either. I had to clean up after him. And it took awhile. Huge black garbage bags filled. Filled with tears, shouts, hurt feelings, mean looks, cross eyes, slumped shoulders, screeches, scalding voices, muted ears, padlocks, stomping shoes, slammed doors, and self-righteousness. When it was finally cleaned, I looked around with gratitude. I had forgotten what it was like to have a place to stay and rest and be happy; a place to give joy--not take joy away--from my loved ones. I finally was able to go visit with my sister and my parents. I even saw my friends again. During the time I was cleaning, Mr. Stinky Attitude kept rasping at my door. Every day I had to tell him to go away. He got in a couple of times. But I remembered what would happen if I let him stay.

I prayed and asked for help. I asked God to keep Mr. Stinky Attitude away for good. He helped me do that.

Oh, he still knocks at my door. And he even comes in and tries to stay. But I pray and God helps me get him out and he stays out when I do that.

I look at my daughter. Furrowed brow and hard eyes are gone. In it's place: tender looks and a repentant heart. Other daughter has eyes wide with excitement. She is bursting. I can see wheels turning. She runs and grabs a scrap of paper. On it she draws a face with it's tongue sticking out. She asks me to write a note to Mr. Stinky Attitude. So we can tape it to our door (heart), reminding him to keep away. So we do.

I'm not sure the tongue sticking out is the non-stinky way to ask Mr. Stinky Attitude to stay away, but I guess we'll find out. :o)

Mr. Stinky Attitude--You do NOT live here!






Reposting this for Imperfect Prose Thursdays over at Emily's! Need to do a little "housekeeping" this week! ;O)


21 comments:

JT said...

ha ha what great story! Nice writing

Stephanie said...

Aw Jen, that story is fabulous! You are an amazing writer. I'll have to share that story with my kids. Maybe you should write a book! :)

Chelsea said...

LOVE that! You are such a creative Mom!! I love your humility as well, as you train your kids with the struggles you yourself have overcome!

Unknown said...

I love this story so much. God has given you such wonderful gifts to bless your girls and so many others!
I might need a "Go Away Mr. Stinky Attitude" magnet on my fridge.

Hilty Sprouts said...

I love this! You are an amazing mom!

Anonymous said...

You are so awesome! I love that story thank you for sharing it:)

Jan said...

That is so wonderful Jen! Your family (and friends!) are so blessed to have you!! Love your insight!!

Becky Avella said...

Sounds like a children's book in the making. I'll buy one when its ready. Mr. Stinky Attitude came to visit in my heart today. Thanks for the reminder to kick him out. : )

Jonie said...

Jen, what a blessing you are! I was almost in tears reading your story...and relating in so many ways. Thank for sharing your beautiful words of wisdom and encouragement! The Lord is shining through you Jen.

Liberty said...

Wish I'd read this post earlier! SO SO thankful for your story. I've been working and attempting to encourage mr.stinky attitude to leave my & year old alone, but to no avail. I'll be sharing your story tonight! Blessings!

Esther said...

seems we've got a bit of a stench around here...mind if i use this for family night? this house isn't big enough for Mr. Stinky Attitude.

J said...

Please do use it, Esther! I hope it helps. Mr. Stinky came by my place today, too....again. We're workin' on getting his bags packed right now! :o)

rjerdee said...

Fascinating!!!! What a great MOM you are! Creative...publishable!

Heather Mattern said...

What a perfect story! I have to remind myself to be an example to my little ones but its so hard at times with the stinky attitude trying to get inside.

nic said...

could we maybe have you over soonish to tell that story? (not so much for my kids, mind you, but for--ahem--me.)

Becky Avella said...

I'm so glad you re-posted this one today...It's still one of my favorites and I think it's a book in the making, one I needed AGAIN today just like I did last year when I posted. Guess I still need grace and Mr. S.P. needs to be kicked out frequently. See you soon, friend! : )

Mommy Emily said...

SOOOO great! i love this story and i'm going to save it for my children, when are grown enough to understand. btw, i also loved that your little one was contemplating eating the dishrag :) wonderful post friend!

Kati patrianoceu said...

I'm impressed you came up with an elaborate story like that, right on the spot!

Joybird said...

J, this rocks. I battled Mr. Stinky Attitude all day yesterday. I love this and I love how your example gently led your girls to repentance. I pray God gives me such spontaneous wisdom and creativity when I am a mom.

christa said...

thanks for sharing Jen, I read this the first time you posted it and I was so excited to see it again! The Lord has given you such a gift and I'm so inspired by the way you teach your girls!

alittlebitograce said...

that is amazing! i'm going to tell this to my children!

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