Rules

I have two very different daughters. And their differences are highlighted in almost all aspects of their lives.

Let's take the art of clay making, for example.

They learned various clay techniques at the BMA.

The learned to make things with sturdy bottoms. They learned how to use toothpicks to provide structure to a piece. They also saw how to attach appendages and pieces by using the toothpicks and then connecting the clay together. Finally, they knew to make their pieces "thick" enough so that they wouldn't break.

Daughter #1, K (age 7) follows the rules without question. She created a wonderful variety of animals. They are thick and sturdy! They were each put together the "proper" way and she made sure the bases would hold them up.

I adore her little zoo of creatures. The penguin is my favorite. He is located all the way to the right.

Daughter #2 thinks of the rules as "guidelines". She loves to bend them and break them to see what will happen. Ironically, she has a mother who follows the rules, who is learning when they might just be a bit more like guidelines...

As soon as I saw the piece she was creating, I immediately began correcting it. I reminded her that it needed to be thick or it would fall apart.

"But I want it that way, Mom."

Then, I noticed that the head was not properly attached and I pointed that out. I began to connect the clay head to the clay body.

I was immediately stopped.

"No! I want to be able to turn her head from side to side."

Poor gal. She has a rule follower for a mom, but I backed off and let her do her thing, impressed by her ability to think outside the box.

(though I admit, we did make the piece thick enough that you couldn't see every toothpick, after all, I wanted this creative creation to last)

And her piece screams, "Look at me! I don't follow the rules!"

And the piece in the back, the one with the overly large head, sits and stares at her friend. She has her hand on her hip and seems to be saying to me, "Yeah. Check me out too. My head is WAY bigger than you would have made it. And my body is way too skinny to hold up my head. But here I sit."

I love these girls. I love the way they approach the world. I love their unique perspectives and their individual talents.

It is my prayer that I can foster what makes them each unique. And I pray that I can use little moments like these to direct them to the One who made them with their individuality.

And, of course, I pray that my rule breaker knows when the rules AREN'T just merely guidelines...sigh...