Winning

This morning we were getting ready to go for a walk. Sam's sneakers were dirty, so he was getting them on in the garage. I was helping Jack tie his in the front hallway on the other side of the house. Since everything between these two somehow turns into a competition I should not have been surprised when Jack yells (about 6 inches from my ear) "I'm gonna beat you, Bubby! Hurry, Mommy, I'm gonna get my shoes on faster than Sam." It took me a minute to process. Actually you aren't getting your shoes on faster than your brother. I am. I didn't think of that til later, so I actually was unable to point out that small detail to my little competitor. Instead I tried to seize the moment and remind him that when we make ourselves first it does not show the love of Christ. And we are thinking only of ourselves instead of others when we have to be first, fastest, best, etc. After reminding him to think of his brother before himself, he explained it to me. "Mommy, sometimes 3 year olds just like to win." Ahhhh. Sometimes thirty-somethings like to win too. And in his defense, in our home, the 3 year old does not often win. I guess we need a few more pointers about this life lesson.