Why is it parents spend hundreds of dollars on toys, gadgets, and other play things only to find their children seem to be more entertained by boxes, empty shampoo bottles, and other junk?
Just the other evening while in the bath, my young one set up shop on the rim of the tub and announced to me she had items for sale. I walked in and saw the neatly arranged offerings. There was the empty hair conditioner container, a mayonnaise jar cap, and a broken pony tail elastic. Also available for purchase was a miniature garbage dumpster key fob, sports water bottle as well as a metal spring attached to a plastic thingy, an empty pain reliever container, and a tic-tac dispenser. All this for a nominal amount of imaginary money. I thought it was cute and even though my little one ain’t so little anymore, I’m glad she uses her imagination and takes delight in getting clean.
I must mention Miss M had a fruitful Christmas and she truly appreciates the gifts she received. She’s always been the grateful type. Even as a toddler, she took the time to open the card before opening the box and would insist the card be read first. Then, after carefully–and I mean carefully–unwrapping a gift and meticulously removing the object from its box or bag, she made sure the giver was thanked and due attention paid before going on to the next package.
God has taught me a lot through my daughter. Patience for one thing, but more importantly He shows me what it means to have a grateful heart. To take delight not only in the expensive gifts given to us, but also the simple and humble treasures we often take for granted.
While I may not give another thought to tossing an empty plastic shampoo bottle in the recycle bin, my heart will forever skip a beat when I survey the collection of “junk” covering the bottom of the bathtub.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17