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| Have you ever baby-sat a little child or maybe just watched one from a distance? They do silly things, and sometimes things that could seriously harm them. They don't know that fire is hot, so they won't hesitate to reach for it (it's soo pretty). They don't pause at the side of the street to look both ways (they just want their ball back). When swinging a bat they may not check behind them to make sure no one is there (Whack!! oops sorry). These things, that are so very obvious to you (been there - done that), are not at all apparent to the child. So while you're baby-sitting you will devote much of your time to protecting the child from himself, and do everything in your power to keep him safe. And I guarantee you that one word you'll use over and over is No! Does this make you a mean person?? No! You only want to protect the child. But the wails coming from the child (Why can't I hold that pretty sharp shiny thingy?) most definately tell you what he thinks (Meanie!! Party pooper!!). So how is it you know all these things? From experience? Yes, but not all from pesonal expeience. Many things you've been taught, a lot of it by your parents. Most of you have never been hit by a car, and yet you still look both ways. Why? Because you were taught to. It didn't take an actual blow from a car to teach you that. When you were small, after a spanking or two, you stayed out of the street, not because you saw the real danger of the street (looks safe to me), rather you saw the danger of angering Mom and Dad (now that's scary!). But as you grew older the real danger became apparent to you (those cars are big and fast!) and you understand now (Duh) that it was for your protection. I know you see where this is heading. I can almost hear your thoughts. "Yeah, but my parents really are mean", "They won't let me do anything", "They don't trust me" "They want to ruin my life!". No, they're not trying to ruin your life, they are only loving you the best way they know how. I can tell you ,as a parent, that the love a parent feels for their children is like none you will ever know (super warm fuzzy feeling), untill you have a child of your own. It's only natural to want to protect the ones we love. Do parent's make mistakes? Of course they do! They are human (I think...). "See, they are wrong sometimes!" Yes, they are. But if you could ever just stop, take a moment and try to understand how hard they struggle to do the right thing, make wise choices, keep you safe, and somehow keep you happy too, you just might see them in a different light. While you think they are being cruel and are trying to ruin your social life, they may be seeing dangers that are not yet apparent to you (Why can't I hold that pretty sharp shiny thingy?) and are desperate to protect you. Believe it or not, parents do not long to have unhappy children, but they do long for their safety. "So why won't they let me watch certain movies or let me listen to certain music? How can that hurt me?" Good question. These things may not hurt you phisicaly (OW) but they can hurt you in a much deeper sense, in your spirit. I know that we've talked on this subject before and I know that many of you dissagree that these things are really bad for you (that's why I'm the teacher and you the student). The danger is there, you just haven't recognized it yet. Remember that even though your parents are adults (clueless!) they do have many more years experience (been there - done that) and are not nearly as clueless as you'd like to think. Just like before, as you mature, things will become more apparent to you (those cars really are big and fast!) and you'll understand (Duh!) that it really was for your protection (they love me! they love me!). And one day you will thank them for it. But in the meantime and probably for the rest of their lives (hiding in the background) Mom and Dad will always be there, always on the look-out for any possible on-coming traffic. And yes, there may be times they misstake a bicycle for a great big truck, but come on, give them a break! They really thought it was a truck! Ephesians 6:1-3 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother." which is the first commandment with promise: 3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on earth." |
| Parents (yikes!) |