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| Holiday Frenzy |
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Welp, another Thanksgiving down with much to be thankful for and much to expect here around the corner. I try to stay away from the black Friday thing...a little too hectic for my blood. But I can't help but notice where our priorities are during this time. I learned in college that when reviewing the priorities of any organization, the tell tale is not in what they present but in what monies they spend and where it is spent.
What monies will you spend this "holiday season"...
time
compassion
affection
finances
Most people focus on that 4th one...give no thought to the more important 3. When my daughter was hospitalized, we found where our priorities were. There was no end to what I wish I had in the bank concerning all 4 "monies" and fortunately we had a lot sitting in there from our previous "deposits" (I hope this makes sense)
I committed with my wife to teach my children to not see this time of year as about presents but to teach them the value of my money system. I watch people going inhuman trying to get some toy before someone else gets it as if that toy will be remembered in 6 months. My son can't remember where he left his other hand (haha) but he knows to come to me. My children remember events from years ago b/c the money I chose to spend is still drawing interest.
Lets raise up a generation that really has their priorities right...a generation that spends more time, compassion, and affection for one another than finances. The first 3 will always yield the 4th...but focusing on the 4th doesn't necessarily do anything for the first 3. |
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"I watch people going inhuman trying to get some toy" ....lol! This brings interesting mental images!
"Lets raise up a generation that really has their priorities right" ....We're trying so hard to do this very thing. Well, starting with our family. I've worked with youth through church as well, put in about 6 years total in youth groups, another 6 in children's Sunday school. Most of my efforts outside of my own family have felt fairly futile, leading me to conclude that beyond certain exceptional circumstances parents are among the greatest gatekeepers to heaven. At least in a nation such as ours. Does that sound cynical? |
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Not at all. I think parents play a much larger role than they accept...especially in this country. We have turned our children over to technology, even after the Terminator Trilogy warned us of hte outcome (haha) of such behaviors.
As far as youth, that is a difficult thing. The odds are completely against you and the parents of those darling are usually mostly to blame...I have counceled many a youth through the realization that their parents have failed them, even through the church. To this day I am told by at least a percentage of my parents "I want my kid to be a strong Christian, it is not something I have taught them, that is why I am glad you are here." I have no choice but to explain to that parent the truth of what he or she has just stated...
Anyways, I think we will all ultimately fail at some point with our kids, I think that is vital for their benefit to see us react to our own failures and not just our successes. My mentor restated to me today that the spiritual maturity of a man can never be seen by how "spiritual" the man is or by how well the man uses his spiritual giftings within the body. I can do anything well that I am good at...and it says nothing of what I am inside. But the spritual maturity is crystal clear when the man walks through trials...be them trials brought upon him externally or by trials he has laid before himself by previous decisions.
Our children need to see us successfully fail too and I give them plenty of chances unfortunately |
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| I appreciate your humility Patrick, and that is sound advice, as well as an oxymoron! "Our children need to see us successfully fail" ..Really though, they do! And how we react when we go through these things is important! |
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| Thanks restore and woman of joy, but this society makes it difficult I will tell you that |
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| Patrick, I am totally in agreement with you. I see my family as my responsibility (in equal partnership with my wife). The balance is very hard to walk...and no matter how much we tell them, it really does boil down to our walk, doesn't it? I like to see my kids be passionate about something - maybe that falls in your "time" account. Their passions come and go because they are indeed still kids, but as they try them, they will succeed and fail. As important as it is for them to see us fail successfully, we need to let them experience it, too....and, IMHO, the younger the better. Of course, I am not talking about raising a bunch of losers. To the contrary, I am talking about raising kids who can see trials as experiences that show God's glory...instead of having to wait until they are adults to know that. |
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in my humble opinion = IMHO
in my opinion = IMO
in my not so humble opinion = IMNSHO
etc.. |
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Got it...thanks. WITFMTGTC
(Well its time for me to go to church)
I hope you guys have a great time today |
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Gene |
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November 28, 2007 at 5:55pm |
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Patrick,
I'm late as I was out of town the past few days. But, I've got to say that you hit the nail on the head. Thanks for sharing - and reminding. I'm sure you recall Harry Chapin's song "Cat's in the Cradle." It made a significant impact on my attitude back in the 70's. - just as your comments do today. |
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| Gene, that is a haunting song. I am ashamed that I have to force myself to take time with my kids...that is my shame...but I do try as we all should. I would rather deal with the shame than just not find the time anyday. Funny thing is when we tickle on the hammock, my world and all my responsibilities dissappear...why in the world would I fight that?? |
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