Benjamin West was just trying to  be a good babysitter for his little sister Sally. While his mother was out, Benjamin found some bottles of coloured ink and proceeded to paint Sally’s portrait. But by the time Mrs. West returned, ink blots stained the table, chairs and floor. Benjamin’s mother surveyed the mess without a word until she saw the picture. Picking it up she exclaimed, “Why, it’s Sally!” And she bent down and kissed her young son.

In 1763 when he was 25 years old, Benjamin West was selected as history painter to King George III. He became one of the most celebrated artists of his day. Commenting on his start as an artist, he said, “My mother’s kiss made me a painter.” Her encouragement did far more than a rebuke ever could have done.

The apostle Paul instructed parents: “Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

It’s easy to notice the wrong in a child but it’s difficult to look beyond an innocent offence to see an act of creativity and love. What a challenge to raise our children according to God’s standards, knowing when to say, “It’s a mess!” and when to say, “Why, it’s Sally!”

Author

David C. McCasland

Topics

Our Daily Bread