Try, try again

A recent attempt at a fish tail braid

There are some things I really stink at. Ok- lots of things.

One of them is french braiding.

I spent many lazy summer days as a pre-teen learning to french braid my own hair.  I spent hours on and off for days on end learning how to craft the tightest, smoothest braid possible. But for some reason, as strange as it seems, it is far easier to braid my own hair (without even being able to see what I’m doing) than it is to braid either of my girls’ hair.

So this morning, when my spirited younger daughter came to me with the request of a french braid, I had to break the news to her.

“Momma’s not so good at that.”

“Just try. Please?!”

“Are you sure?  I might mess up…I may have to do it more than once.”

“That’s ok, momma. I still want you to do it.”

And so I took the brush from her hand and began gingerly brushing her ultra-thick, tangled hair.  She was incredibly patient with me.  Usually at this stage of the game, there would be lots of ouches!  and you’re hurting me!! 

But not today.  She believed in me.

And slowly I separated the pieces of hair and began to work on that braid.

“It’s a little bit messy,” I told her.

“That’s ok, Mom.”

Before I knew it, I had a french braid staring back at me.  I secured it tightly and she smiled from ear to ear. I took her to the mirror and showed her my imperfect handiwork, and placed bobby pins to hold her wispy strands back from her face.

“Are you sure you want to keep it up like that?”

“Yep!” she exclaimed, and flashed me her dazzling smile.

My Sophie taught me two very important lessons today:

-My daughter believed in me… and because she believed in me, she gave me the encouragement to not give up

-trying my best will always be good enough to those who love me

His perfect love shined through my daughter this morning, blinding me to my imperfect braid… and reminding me how He uses the smallest things to show me how great He is and how much He loves us!

               Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2