The story is told of a young boy who handed his mother a note one day hoping to be financially rewarded for all the work he did around the house. This is what he charged.
For cutting the grace: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $0.50
For babysitting my kid brother. $0.25
For taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a good report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00
____________________
Total Owed: $14.75
The mother read the note, smiled, put the paper in her pocket.
Then, she sat down at the kitchen table with a pen and a piece of paper of her own and began to write a note in response.
My Very Dear Son,
For all the nights that I have sat up with you, took care of your illnesses, and prayed for you:
“NO CHARGE”
For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were, and are, still ahead:
“NO CHARGE”
For all the changing of your diapers when you were small, for all the toys you received, for all your clothes washed and dried, and for all the meals prepared so you would never be hungry:
“NO CHARGE”
The mother stopped writing and handed her note to her son.
He read what she had written.
Then, with tears in his eyes her turned his own note over and on the back wrote:
“Dear Mom.
“PAID IN FULL!”
Children, honor your mother. Love her, protect her, and never leave her alone. She is worthy.
