We're So Blessed: A Fun 5-Day Family Devotional From CAINSample

A Curious Mind

STORY: Madison’s Blue Phase (Taylor)

As a child, Madison was certainly a well-mannered young girl. She minded our parents, was respectful to others, and played kindly with any kid she’d meet. However, as mannerly as she was, her curious mind would get her into a little trouble from time to time. Our parents now say with a chuckle that if Madison was ever quiet you needed to find her quickly! She was just so curious about the world around her, and sometimes that curiosity led her to innocently do some rather mischievous things.

When Madison was five years old, while our parents were merely one room away, her curiosity led her to the family’s “junk” drawer in the kitchen. This drawer was a catch-all for rubber bands, paper clips, pencils, and, on this fateful day, an extra-large, dark blue permanent marker.

Madison was mesmerized by the marker. She removed the cap to reveal the dark blue tip, and that’s when her curious mind took over. Madison thought, Wow, with a big marker like this, I bet I could color my entire leg blue. That thought was very quickly put into action. Calmly and quietly, young Madison applied deep blue marker strokes to her leg. She meticulously colored in heavy ink, solid line by solid line, until, lo and behold, her entire leg looked just like a blueberry. Madison sat back, astonished with her masterpiece. Again, she thought to herself, This looks amazing. I can’t wait to show Mom and Dad. They’ll be so impressed!

Madison walked gingerly into the living room where our parents were sitting, and when she had her blue leg displayed proudly, she shouted “Surprise!” And it was indeed a surprise. Our parents shared dumbfounded looks as they figured out what exactly they were witnessing. Then they frantically delivered a bevy of questions: “What have you done? Which marker did you use? Did you know this was a permanent marker?” Madison beamed with pride as she truthfully answered each question: “I colored my leg! I used the big marker in the junk drawer . . . and no I didn’t realize it was permanent.” Mom and Dad quickly took her into the bathroom and began desperately trying to wash away the blue ink with soap and water. While a slight amount was removed, it was evident after the fourth or fifth wash that this blue leg was here to stay until it could gradually fade over time. And until it faded, it would be quite the conversation piece for our parents around town.

Madison wasn’t a bad kid in the slightest; she was just wholeheartedly curious. And in this situation, like many others, our parents decided to respond with patience and gentleness. While they explained that applying homemade, permanent marker tattoos wasn’t a great idea, they also were careful not to dissuade Madison from inquiring about the world around her. They had the foresight to know that a curious child like her would grow into an intelligent, inquisitive adult. As today’s scriptures instruct, they were patient with her and made allowances for her faults and missteps because of their love for her as they raised her into a strong, confident woman of faith.

Reflection Questions

• Has curiosity ever gotten you into trouble? If so, share that story with your family.

• Ephesians 4:2 says to make allowances for one another’s faults because of your love. How can you live out that scripture? How can you make better allowances for others?

• Think of a time someone was patient with you. How did that make you feel?

Activity

Now for a less permanent version of Madison’s Blue Phase: it’s washable marker tattoo time! All you’ll need is a box of washable markers and each other to use as a canvas. Take turns making wacky tattoos on one another. Be sure to take some photos to remember your artwork before you clean it off.