Lessons Never Learned

I spent a long time today thinking about what I was gong to write about. I considered writing more about my Women's Bible study on the Tabernacle and what I have been learning. I thought about writing about the thoughts I have had about our new baby who's face we will see very soon, but none of these seemed quite appropriate after Josiah helped me realize that there are some lessons in life we just never learn quite as well as we should.
Let me take you back in time to the "I do not like Green Marker Stains" post. One I am sure none of you have forgotten!
So, right after Josiah colored his bedroom green I called my mother. My mother's initial response was much like many of yours ...... laughter. She said, "my child - been there.... done that - 4 times!" I said, "Well, that's not very encouraging!" To which she replied, "Oh! Wait! The fun has just begun. Next it will be your make-up. "
Which brings us to today!
I went downstairs for no more than ten minutes to get dinner started while Josiah innocently sat on my bed watching Mary Poppins. WhenI came upstairs to check on him it was far too quiet. When he saw me enter the room he let out a shriek and took off running. I on the other hand, had to do everything in my power not to burst out laughing and give my child ammunition to use at a later time. My mother's words came flooding back. How could I have been so dense as to not heed the warning.
There in front of my eyes was foundation make-up all over my dressing table and anything that had gotten in the way of the portrait my dear son was painting with it. Several of his cars were also a beautiful shade of "skin tone". I could hardly even be upset with him, after all my Mom had warned me and I had not listened and put my make-up away.
We chastise our children for not listening when we, ourselves, have not learned this valuable lesson. I desperately wanted to call my Mom and tell her I was sorry for all the times I had disobeyed her and to thank her for still looking out for me. Too bad it was already after 10pm in South Africa when this happened and I know my parents are going to be up early tomorrow to leave for a mini vacation. I guess they will have to wait until Monday to see that their dear child is still learning lessons about listening. Too bad I didn't pay more attention to what Mom had to say that green day.