Funny Life

Play Nice

My 4-year-old daughter was invited to play with my neighbor’s 5-year-old granddaughter. After just 20 minutes, my neighbor walked her back home, said they weren’t playing nice, and suggested maybe they could get together another day.

A few days passed, and my neighbor invited my daughter back over. Before she left I told her, “You need to play nice with Hannah or you’ll have to come back home early.”

She looked at me and said, “But, Mommy, sometimes it’s hard to play nice.”

“I know. That’s when we ask Jesus to help us play nice.”

At that moment, she dropped to her knees by our front door, closed her eyes, and prayed, “Jesus, please make Hannah do everything I tell her to do so I can play nice. Amen.”

Patricia Lait

Garner, NC

Learn to Share

My husband was the student pastor at a church where they only had children’s worship for children up to age 4. Our daughter, Jessica, had just turned 5 when she was required to sit in her first Sunday morning worship service. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper that morning, and when the bread and juice were passed around, the plate went over her head and on to the next person.

As we drove home after worship, we asked Jessica what she thought of “big church.” She was adamant in her response that she didn’t like it at all. When we asked her why, she said, “I don’t like it when people won’t share their snacks.”

Sherry Collins

Batesville, MS

Fruit of the Spirit

I decided to explain the fruit of the Spirit to my children. I asked my 5-year-old son if he knew what the fruit of the Spirit meant.

He said, “I already know that, Mom. It’s written on my underwear.”

Diane Baucom

Cary, NC

Illustrations are by Genevieve Kote.

Popularity Contest

My children always have enjoyed being spoiled by their grandparents. After returning from a visit with my parents, my daughter announced that she wanted to live with Mimi and Granddad. I assured her that although they were fun for the two days she was there, I had grown up with them, and it wasn’t all fun and games.

She asked, “You mean they didn’t let you do whatever you wanted?”

I assured her that they did not.

She smartly answered, “Oh! They just like me better!”

Jenn Medlock

College Station, TX

CAN YOU TOP THESE STORIES?

Send us a funny and true story involving your child. E-mail your story to parentlife@lifeway.com. Mail your story to Funny Life, ParentLife, MSN 172, One Life Way Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0172. If we publish your story, you will receive $20 and see your story in print.

For all submissions, please include your name, address, e-mail address, daytime phone number, and social security number. Submissions should be 25 to 150 words and will not be returned. Stories may be edited for clarity and length.

MARCH 2008 PARENTLIFE 7