"These aren't my boots"

I heard a story about a kinder gardener and his teacher. One day a kindergarten teacher was helping one of her students put on his cowboy boots. He asked for help and she could see why. Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots still didn’t want to go on. Finally, when the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost cried when the little boy said, "Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet." She looked down and sure enough, they were.

It wasn’t any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. But she managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on - this time on the right feet. And it was only then that he announced, "These aren’t my boots."

She bit her tongue rather than scream, "Why didn’t you say so?" like she wanted to. And, once again she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off his little feet. No sooner had they got the boots off then he said, "They’re my brother’s boots. My Mom made me wear ’em today."

Now she didn't know if she should laugh or cry. But, she mustered up what grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again.Helping him into his coat, she asked, 'Now, where are your mittens?'He said, 'I stuffed 'em in the toes of my boots.'

She will be eligible for parole in three years!

It appears to me that many times we are often impatient and high tempered about stuff. If we were to confess our weaknesses RIGHT NOW i would have to be the first to say that i get angry easily. Anyone that knows me will tell you that i do not tolerate a whole lot from people. This is not always good. Though this story brought a smile to my face and some laughter, it made me think. How often do we get mad simply because we have to try things over and over when we simply shouldn't "have" to even deal with them to begin with. The teacher couldnt see why the boy needed help but helped him anyway.

Have you ever tried to help a family move furniture around, a task that seemed to only require 3 hours, and have spent a whole day figuring out how to place things in an order where everything would fit?

Maybe you once told a family friend that you would take care of , what would appear to be nice, kids and come to find that they are 3 little walking nightmares that destroy everything they step on.

Perhaps you have been the one that has taken the initiative to do something and have later been lectured about how you did it wrong.

Moments like these sometimes provoke a rage of anger in us because "i didn't HAVE to do this for you" or "at least i tried to help" or even the occasional "if you are not pleased with my help than i will no longer offer my assistance".

This attitude is the kind of attitude that breaks friendships. ruins testimonies, and closes doors in our lives. From first-hand experiences i can tell you that when you are doing something for someone else you have to be prepared to their reactions because they wont always see it like you do. They wont always see that you are doing them a favor and they wont always see that you didn't have to do this for them. I can say this NOT because i have always made people happy when i help them but because i am often confronted with the same reactions from people.

One must really evaluate the intention of one's "help". Why did you decide to help them? Was it because you wanted them to thank you or because you wanted to make it easier on them. Now, there will be times when you will make it harder on a person, BUT don't let this discourage you. I can't really give you scripture on this topic other than a reference to the bible in 1 Samuel 16:7 When God tells us that He looks at our heart. This assures us that He knows why we do things and He knows our intentions. The teacher unfortunately didn't understand that, or she has never read 1 Samuel 16:7. Keep on helping people, keep putting and taking off boots because even if they aren't their boots, God knows you are trying to help.

This post was inspired by a 3 foot friend, who never ceases to take an opportunity to help someone, despite the mistakes he may make.