It Wasn’t the Crawdads That Caught My Attention
My sister brought four of her grandchildren over last Friday to spend the afternoon at the creek. My grandniece, Millie-Mae, and her little brother came too, so suddenly we had six children between the ages of 3 and 11 splashing through the water, catching crawdads, and building what they proudly call “frog houses.” I could have watched them for hours.
What caught my attention wasn’t just the fun they were having. It was watching 11-year-old Millie-Mae naturally look after the younger children. She helped them navigate the slippery rocks, settled little disagreements before they became big ones, and patiently explained things when they didn’t understand. No one asked her to do it. She simply stepped into the role.
It made me realize she wasn’t born with that kind of patience. God has been quietly shaping it through the everyday responsibility of being a big sister.
Isn’t that often how God works in our own lives? The ordinary responsibilities we sometimes wish away may actually be His training ground. The difficult coworker teaches patience. Caring for aging parents teaches compassion. Raising children teaches selflessness. Walking through disappointment teaches us to trust.
We may not understand why we’re in a particular season, but one day we often look back and realize God was preparing us for something we couldn’t yet see.
“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” — James 1:4
Maybe the season you’re in today isn’t just something to get through. Maybe it’s exactly where God is growing the character you’ll need for tomorrow.
I love watching 5-year-old Willow experience the creek because she can’t see. She is a joy I recently shared in a Morning Brew reflection titled “Willow is Teaching Me About Joy.”
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I’m the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I’m passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to help others care well for their health and the bodies God has given us. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
August 5, 2026 Morning Brew
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