The Gift of Gumption
When you think about what you want to teach your children, don’t forget about good ole gumption. By gumption I don’t mean Merriam Webster’s first definition of “common sense,” but the second: initiative and enterprise. Think of ole Noah Webster himself. There was a man with gumption. He created a dictionary all by himself — before computer technology!
After enjoying our free blueberry pie and blueberry juice in Saguenay, we walked through the town’s port terminal where people with gumption offered beautiful items for sale, such as these life-like wood carvings.
Then we toured a beautiful little church.
Isn’t this a pretty spring scene at the front of the church?
We walked from one small business to another. One store sold hand-painted textiles, created in the store.
Another sold items made by First Nations artists.
Still another sold gelato and baked goods. I thought this cake was adorable. It would make a cute birthday cake with candles in the cones.
I especially enjoyed the handmade soap shop. This is the display in front of the store and . . .
. . . an old school desk inside.
At the front of the store were displays of items for sale. In the middle were racks of drying soap. At the back was the soap-making workshop.
Here are my friend Terry and I with the soap maker.
The folks creating these items for sale have gumption. Wise mamas give their children the gift of gumption:
- By providing them with time and resources to develop the talents God gave them,
- By maintaining loving discipline for the purpose of training their children to follow through,
- By requiring diligence, and
- By providing loving support.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily,
as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward of the inheritance.
It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Colossians 3:23