You Like It. Just Admit It.
One of my sons has become obsessed with a new show and wanted his brother to like it as much as he does. This is the argument I overheard the other day.
"You do like this show."
"It's ok. But I'd rather play my video game."
"You were laughing the last time we watched it."
"I didn't like it that much."
"You have to watch this show with me! I know you love it."
"I don't really like it."
"Yes, you do! I know you do! Just admit it!"
As I was preparing my best "teachable moment" lecture on how each person is uniquely created with different likes and dislikes, I realized how often I need to be reminded of the same lesson.
For example, I love coffee! Don't ruin the flavor by adding pumps of syrup, gobs of sugar (just a smidgen, please), or cream. I want it nearly black (just a hint of sugar) -- the darker the blend, the better. It is difficult for me to fathom why my husband would prefer a soda.
I also love chocolate. My tastebuds enter a state of euphoria when they come in contact with a Ghiradelli dark chocolate and salty caramel square. My son has a completely maddening attitude toward this treat: "No, thanks." What?!
I have actually heard of people who prefer other chips over Lays sour cream and onion chips . . . or don't even like chips! (Gasp!)
Enough of the food/drink examples or I'm going to have to run to the store in the middle of writing this.
We have now entered my favorite time of year -- fall. I love the cooler weather, beautiful leaves, and colors of this season. I even love winter with the sweaters, jackets, gloves, scarves, and crackling fires. My husband actually misses the constant heat and humidity of south Florida. How can this be?
It's one thing to be perplexed when someone has different likes and dislikes than us. It's a completely different thing to try to force someone else to be just like us . . . particularly our children.
Having worked with students for the past 24 years, I have come across more than a few who feel like they'll never measure up to what their parents want them to be. They play sports they don't enjoy in order to please their parents. They choose college majors based on what their parents think will lead to a good job.
Granted, children often do take after their parents in their preferences. But are we, as parents, okay with our children being different from us?
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous — how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.” Psalms 139:13-15 (NLT)
God made each one of us -- wonderful and unique -- under His watchful eye. Our job as parents is to lead our children to follow Christ, whatever that might look like. Our job is to guide our children in developing their individual gifts and talents so that they can serve God in whatever way He sees fit. Our job is to teach our children to seek the Lord in all they do, no matter where that takes them.
Are we willing to do our job even when our children may be led in a completely different direction from what we imagined for them?
