Today I was renewed in my appreciation for God’s perfection.

While I was nannying yesterday, I went downstairs and found open packaging from a toy camera.  After asking the boys if they knew anything about it I was able to conclude that the culprit of opening the package was Ella.  I quickly went upstairs to find the hooligan and promptly brought her downstairs.

Now, pause for a second and understand that we have recently had several incidents of Ella not telling us the truth.  At this point, we can pretty much bank on what Cade says, but with Ella it is iffy.  (ie eating a Triscuit and having the remains in her mouth while straight faced saying that she did not take a cracker and eat it.)

So, back to bringing the hooligan downstairs.  I was expecting denial from her, but I was pleasantly surprised when she admitted to opening the package immediately.  Then I asked her where she got the package.  She pointed to the nearest shelf.  Now, I happen to know that Melissa (the mom of the kids I nanny) has a dresser with toys in their packages in another room.  I asked Ella again and she stuck to her story.  After several rounds of this and various discipline techniques I finally left Ella in a back room by herself to think things through and hopefully tell me the truth when I came back.  I was praying for her little heart to be convicted as she bawled in the other room.  I came back numerous times and she would tell me she forgot where she got the toy camera from.

After way too much drama I finally told Ella that I knew she got it from the dresser.  She agreed, and we hugged.  Once again we discussed the importance of honesty, and I told Ella that she would need to inform Melissa when she got home what she had done.  Then we went along with the rest of our day.

Fast forward to the time that Melissa gets home.  Ella was off playing so I told Melissa that I was going to have Ella confess to her.  Then Melissa proceeds to tell me that the toy camera was in fact on the shelf that Ella had ORIGINALLY told me and NOT in the dresser…

WONDERFUL!! Now, I had disciplined my daughter for lying, when she had not, and she even confessed to something that she, in fact, did NOT do!  I immediately felt AWFUL!!

I later pulled Ella aside, and asked her where she really got the camera toy.  The hooligan poor child was probably so confused at that point.  When reassured that she could really tell me, she again told me about the shelf that she actually found it on.  I apologized and told her that I had made a mistake (I had been so sure!).  She was so gracious and forgiving (I have found that kids at this age usually are).

As we were leaving to go home, Ella by her own initiative, whispered to Melissa that she had taken the camera and opened it.  Evidently, it had been a left over Christmas gift that just had yet to be opened.  I was very wrong in my assumptions yesterday.  I was very blessed though by Ella’s forthright confession on her own.

When all was said and done I was still feeling badly about the whole incident and told Kirk that I have learned that I will not discipline for lying unless I have evidence.  I also was extremely thankful that God is always PERFECT and ALL-KNOWING. We are never held accountable for something we didn’t do, and He always knows exactly what we need in discipline and provision.

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