That’s The Spirit!

A mother receives a birthday card made with all the love and devotion her little six-year-old son could put into it. It is smudged with crayon marks and glue. On the front there is a drawing of mom that makes her look forty pounds heavier than she is. If she judges only from outward appearances, she might be tempted to consign the unflattering image of herself in the waste basket. If she responds in the spirit in which it was made, she can truly say that this is the most beautiful birthday greeting that she ever received.

What a difference it makes in the life of a six-year-old whose mother emphasizes the spirit behind his labor of love rather than the mere outward appearance of the end product. Of course, a mother has an advantage. She knows her child’s capacities and limitations. A good mother learns not to expect too much. (On the other hand, mom probably would react differently if the birthday card…