Samuel Isaac

Paul and I are always on the lookout for jobs that Sam can do by himself.  We are both of the mindset that boys need work and need to be kept busy.  Problem is, there is not much around here that Sam can do by himself other than feed/water the dogs and take out the trashes, which he already does on a daily basis.

Today Paul told Sam that the van needed to be cleaned out.  That in itself was an understatement.  We had let the van get out of control and it was downright messy.  I heard Paul telling Sam that he needed to do that today, so I mentally reminded myself to make sure he got it done.

An hour or so later, Sam came bursting into the house and asked me to get him some garbage bags.

"Dad told me to clean out the van and I need some bags" he exclaimed.

I gave him a handful of Kroger bags and sent him on his way.

A while later he came back in with about six Kroger bags filled to the brim with clothes. 

"These are all the clothes that are in the van and now I'm getting the trash out" he said with a smile on his face.

Hmmmm.  I thought.  He seems awful cheerful for doing such a mundane job.  I went out on the porch to watch him for a while.  He was cheerful.  And he was excited to be almost finished with a job that Dad gave him.  He was almost beside himself when he finished up a few minutes later.  I went out to check his work and I was impressed.  He did a great job and removed everything from the van.

I told him what a great job he had done.  Paul told him that when he got home later in the afternoon.  Sam seemed to grow two inches after hearing his dad affirm his work.

Tonight as I was praying with Sam before bed, I thanked God for Sam's hard work in the van.  I kissed Sam goodnight and as he was leaving to go get in his bed he said to me,

"Mom, if that van ever gets messy again I'm going to take care of it."

I need to take a lesson from Sam.  Attitude is everything, especially when it pertains to a mundane job.

I do love that boy.