Breaking the Code

DTTPP

This little acronym caused quite a stir in our home.

Mr. B.T.C. wrote these five letters on the chalkboard before leaving the kitchen one Saturday evening. One by one, we began trying to “break the code.”

We were given three clues:

1. We would be discussing the meaning of DTTPP for Family Home Evening.
2. Whoever figured it out would receive a $10 cash reward.
3. We each had to write down our answer and be prepared to hand it over to Dad Monday evening.

For the next couple of days, everyone was trying to figure this one out. Even visitors joined in.

Monday night finally arrived, and we anxiously gathered around with our little white papers in hand.

One by one, we turned them over.

Mr. B.T.C. carefully read through each answer (a few causing a smile to cross his lips) and then declared...

Mom was the winner!

Britley: Don’t Talk Till Papa Prays
Bree: David Taught the People Prayer
Wesley: Do Things to Practice Peace
Dawson: Do Things to Practice Peace
(Yes, the little cheat copied Wesley’s answer.)
Mom: Do Things to Promote Peace

We had noticed that the little people in our home seemed to be arguing a little more than usual. Mr. B.T.C. had narrowed much of it down to selfishness, which led us into a beautiful Family Home Evening discussion about what each of us could do to promote peace in our home.

But the lesson wasn’t over.

We were told to meet back in seven days (same place, same time) with another little white piece of paper. This time, we were to write down the name of the family member we felt had done the most during the week to promote peace in our home.

One week later, the ballots were cast.

The winner of the $20 cash prize was...

Wesley!

I was actually surprised there weren’t more votes for Britley. She seems to naturally live her life in service to others.

Then I learned a little something.

Just before Family Night, Wesley had apparently gone around bribing the kids with some pretty inviting incentives if they would vote for him.

That little sucker!

I think I know what our next Family Home Evening lesson will be about. :)

Mr. B.T.C., I love watching you teach our children. You have such a wonderful way of turning an ordinary moment into something they’ll remember.

And for now, our chalkboard has a new message:

“A soft answer turneth away wrath.” —Proverbs 15:1

Hopefully they’re reading it. ;)