I'd like to form an alliance...

I've been thinking about the concept of being in an alliance. And not because I watched that episode of The Office ;0)

I feel like my normal mode of operation, as a caseworker, is like that of being in an alliance. Usually with the child, sometimes with the parent or another agency, very rarely with both. I'm sure you've had your fair share of alliances with 4 and 5 year olds as well...ha ha. There's something wonderfully therapeutic about an alliance with a child. Nobody trusts like a child. It's nice to remember what a huge victory can lay in the simplest task and how those victories must always be revered.

I don't know if I would be grounded unless my victories were things like a child reading a word or saying "nice try" after his peer didn't get a match or seeing a child fold a blanket all by himself or ask for help in putting a piece on a Cootie bug or having a timeout without being aggressive or offering me a high five for doing, in their opinion, a good job. Trust, compassion, persevering...they are no small task. I rejoice in my kids victories, I tell them how proud of them I am, and give them hugs and gifts to reinforce their value of that skill....how much more will our Heavenly Father give to those who love Him? Do you recognize your victories today? Do you recognize His rejoicing?