Heavy Burdens And Burnt Cheese

As the husband heads off to work a job he wishes he had finished long ago, I think about the man he is. He really does just want everyone to get along. I guess you could say he's the peacemaker (and no, kids, this does not refer to the same peacemaker you may be thinking of)... anyway, the man must feel like he's in a losing battle most of the time. Needless to say, Parents, be careful of what you burden your children with when they are young. Those same burdens only multiply when they became adults if issues are never dealt with.

Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children

 [do not be hard on them or harass them],

 lest they become discouraged and sullen

 and morose and feel inferior and frustrated.

 [Do not break their spirit.]

Colossians 3:21, Amplified

I could practically launch into a three-hour sermon on that one and I don't even preach. Come to think of it, the last time anyone let me hold a microphone was a little over two years ago. Now that was a good one. A group of about thirty teenagers, a sprinkling of adults, my oldest son hearing things come from his mother's mouth that must have shocked him. Good thing I had prepared him the night before. I think one of the worst things we can do (or should I keep this singular as in the worst thing I can do?)... one of the worst things for a kid, I think,  is to grow up thinking their parents did no wrong and spent their entire young life polishing the candlesticks on the church altar, if you get my drift. I have no problem acknowledging the error of my ways to my children when it's in God's timing and for His glory. Sin does have consequences. They need to hear that.

Oooh, I love talking with my kids (by the way, the key word in that statement is with... I try to talk with them, not at them). Sure, sometimes we have our awkward moments, but when they look me in the eye and say Thanks and I'm glad I'm not the only one.... well, that's when I know that I'm teaching them more than just how to separate their laundry or clean a pan with burnt cheese.

And with that, I just experienced a subtle reminder that I am and always will be a teacher. I think He just smiled. He's probably thinking it's about time. It's always good when your kids learn something you've known all along.