Who’s the adult in this relationship?

I've been humbled, yet again, by a child.

Last week my six-year-old daughter decided to have a play on her older brother’s 'Tamagotchi' computer game. Frustrated by the complexities of the game she then hurled it (gently, she insists) onto a nearby sofa. Her aim was, unfortunately, a little off and she hit the corner of a table, cracking the screen and breaking the toy irretrievably.

She came to me in tears, at first insisting it had fallen on the floor, then compelled to tell the truth that actually, she had thrown it in anger.

What should she do? She wailed. What should she say? What would happen if she did own up?

Good question... I suggested telling the truth may be  hard at the time, but at least she wouldn't have to carry the lie around in her heart. She considered all options, then waveringly agreed.

Three hours (and a good deal of nail biting) later big brother walked through the door and my daughter's resolve deserted her as she hid behind me saying: 'You tell him Mum, please!'

What did my son - a manly 10-years-old - do when he found out his beloved Tamagotchi was in pieces?

He looked for a while at my daughter's stricken, tear-stained face then gave her a big hug telling her not to worry, he was going off the game anyway, and at least it wasn't anything important.

He forgave her. No questions asked. No strings attached. No recriminations. It left me wondering how I would have reacted if something precious to me was broken. Would I have behaved so admirably.

So many times since I became a Mum I have been brought up short by the trust, love or forgiveness of children, given so freely that it takes my breath away.

As parents we are swamped with what we should teach our offspring to best equip them for life.

But actually, I think that if we took time to watch and learn from our children's behaviour we would see they are streets ahead of us, with many vital characteristics of being the kind of human beings God wants us to be.

This month, on 11 March, our diocese is hosting a special day at Marlborough School, Woodstock, for anyone wanting to help the chidren in our families, church and schools to grow in faith.

It promises to be an interesting day. But I'll go with the knowledge that teaching my children about God's will for us is only half the story. 

I'll also remember Jesus' words that have rung  so true for me so many times in the last 10 years:
 'Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'

Sally Jarman is Acting Editor of The DOOR