Sweet little sinners

I just got this picture back this week from an "Antiquities" photo shoot, a fund-raiser we did for MOPS. This free 10x13 was worth the $10 and thankfully the individual pictures weren't as good so I could turn down the expensive packages pretty easily. Eli shares his Dad's dislike of taking pictures, but even his gloomy face is cute in this. It's funny because he actually is a very happy kid, smiles all the time, we just can't capture it too well in pictures. He really is sweet, and just easy, maybe it's just compared to #1 and #3 that usually like to be difficult (the jury is still out on #4). I was putting the boys to bed the other night and I had prayed and sang with David first. He was not being quiet while I was with Eli so I threatened to discipline him if he talked while we were praying. I prayed first and noticed Eli prayed the quickest prayer he's ever done - and  then I realized he was doing that so David wouldn't get in trouble. He's not always winning the big brother award, though, after a scuffle the other day Eli was crying and saying he didn't want David to be his brother anymore. I asked him if he was always nice to David. He said "Yes, except maybe on Fridays." Even my sweet one has a little sinner's heart. It was quite obvious the other day when we were visiting my Mom. I wanted to take them shopping to get some things for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes - I let each one pack a box for a kid their age and gender. We watched a few videos so they would understand and hopefully be moved with compassion for those less fortunate. I personally can not watch those videos without crying. I looked at the kids and said, "Ok, who's ready to go? Remember we are not buying anything for ourselves on this trip, it's just for the shoeboxes," Eli looked up and said "But can I get just one thing for me?" FAIL! I got frustrated with his little self-centered heart, but then realized we are probably all that selfish, at least at times, we just learn as adults not to let people see it. As Scripture says in Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and deperately wicked, who can know it?" I've heard teaching recently that the common, popular advice to "follow your heart" is really terrible advice - if we followed our hearts we'd end up in trouble most every time. Thankfully we can follow the Lord, through His Word, and with the help of His Spirit. Hopefully I'm beginning to learn that for myself so I can teach it to my kids. Goodnight!