Marriage Moats-Put on Your Snowpants

Published: Sat, 02/16/13

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

Last year I did not work in the preschool. I did sing with the cuties once a week which was more sweetness than I deserve. I would arrive with a guitar under my arm while a bevy of four year olds were stuffing their limbs into outerwear and they would call out like baby birds to a worm.

"Mrs. Lori! Help me with my coat!"

"Mrs. Lori! I can't put on my boots!"

"Mrs. Lori! Come see my rock!"

I found their pleas irresistible, and made the rounds tugging shoes and zipping zippers. I noticed that their bona fide teacher responded differently.

"Claire, you can put on your own boots."

"Mara, that's right. Stand above the hood and slip your hands in the sleeves."

"You can do it, Bella. That's good."

It confused me that she did not leap to their pleading. After all they were adorable. I liked that they needed me.

This year I help in the classroom on Tuesdays, and I can see her strategy close up. Her goal is bigger than today's buttons. It is about becoming capable. She is right, too. Children who can tug up their snowpants have more time for fun than the ones who are laying limp on the floor until the teacher gets around to them. Now I keep my hands to myself and have ramped up the encouragement.

I wonder sometimes what it is like for God, benevolently gazing at childish marriages. He could, I suppose, solve our problems for us. It would not be difficult to fatten a bank account here and there, or snuff out a few germs. He could channel the outcome of my day precisely as I want it, with short term solutions that minimize my need to exert any effort.

But I have a nagging feeling He has broader aspirations.

Photo by Joy Feerrar

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