Burlap to Cashmere

When Brian and I first started dating he introduced me to a band called Burlap to Cashmere.  It was a folk Christian band.  Their songs were catchy and fun.  I haven't thought about the band in a long time.  However, recently burlap has been catching my eye.  Its really vogue right now, all rustic,and frazzled and earthy.

 I decided that for my day off with the kids we'd begin decorating for fall...  We'd unpack the fall decor, made some crafts and maybe a list of things we need to get to really make our home feel like Autumn's coming.  The kids were super excited.  I'm not sure what Noah thought was in the fall box- but he literally could not wait.

So I went to Michael's. I haven't been there in ages.  They have some really cool things right now.  I'll admit I was a little overwhelmed.  I had a list and a goal, and pretty much stuck to it.  I bought burlap, a wreath form, some canvases for working on our projects. I was really excited for the big kids to come home so we could work together.

They were excited too.  They dove right into their little wreath craft while I worked on mine.  At first it was the bliss that I'd imagined.  "This is the best day ever!"  Happiness, and laughter and joy.

Then something changed. They argued over where to put the leaves and banner.  Over who would do what.  I quietly chided them, encouraged them to work together.  We unpacked the fall box but that was a bit of anticlimactic. I still don't know what Noah was expecting but that box failed to meet his expectations.  He tanked hard. "This is the worst day ever". Ouch... What happened to the give thanks spirit of the wreath they were making.  Noah swallowed his bitterness and let it grow.  His attitude declined and he was really having a tough time. I watched my son's countenance change as he decided to give in to disappointment.

I swallowed my own disappointment.  I gently corrected him.  I firmly corrected him.  I corrected him multiple times.  He did not acknowledge me.  The pillows in the living room were awry. I kept working on the burlap. Cutting and pulling and pinching.  I twisted wire and molded and shaped.  I pricked my finger.  I thought about The Blood.  I kept working, hoping to make something beautiful out of something simple and tattered, and in pieces.

There were scissors and paper scraps that spanned to rooms.   Noah and Hannah were running around like banshees and I just knew someone would end up with stitches.  I got over my disappointment and got angry. I held my tongue.  Help was on the way.  Brian was going to come and run around with them outside.  It was beautiful.  I was going to get a chance at redeeming our evening.  If I could just hold on, hold my temper.  Julia joined in the fun.  The running and screaming and shrieking.  I hung the wreath.... I couldn't believe that I made it. It was even better than I hoped it would be.

The feeling of accomplishment shattered with the sound of glass breaking.  I quickly went to the dining room where I found the big kids piled on the floor, timid and sheepish and surrounded by my Grandmother's china teapot in pieces all around.  "It fell."  So did my heart. The teapot was irreplaceable. The consequences of disobedience are sometime irreplaceable. I sent the banshees outside.  It was safer for them that way.

Brian cleaned up the china and I vented my woes.  They could have gotten hurt, really hurt.  They have to learn to listen.  They have to understand that sin hurts people around them.  They have to understand that there are consequences.

We talked to the kids.  We issued the discipline. My heart was breaking again.  Because this time, there wasn't any reactionary screaming.  No flying off the handle.  There was calm explanation and planned discipline.  There's a price for disobedience.  I heard understanding.  The kids seemed to get it. There was remorse.  Repentance.  Noah mentioned that it must be nice to be a Daddy, because no one ever disciplined you.  Brian explained that the older you are, the higher the standard, and that the consequences are even more painful when a Daddy sins. He seemed to comprehend.

"We can try again tomorrow right, to have a good day and make the right choices?" -Noah, at bedtime.  Yes baby, His mercies are new every morning.

 This morning when I woke the kids were already up.  They were so excited!  Turns out, the irreplaceable tea pot was rare, but findable! (Thanks, Brian) The kids surrendered their allowance "life savings"  and ordered one online.

This is powerful.  This was pain with a purpose.  This is really teaching, and really learning.  This is turning Burlap into Cashmere... He makes us new... He is making us new.