Children and the Divine

When we talk to other parents about our kids and how awesome they are, we might as well be sharing with them about God. Or, suppose I take a new position at work and get a new, great supervisor. The same thing applies. Any time we talk about how awesome our kids, friends, co-workers, parents, supervisors, mentors, or business partners are, we might as well be sharing with them about God.

This is because all good things come from God. The scripture says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Of course, the temptation is to tell other parents how awesome our children are because we want to look good in front of them. We compare ourselves to them. This is a form of pride, jealousy, and fear that leads to all sorts of psychological problems, even if they only seem like small ones to us.

When we realize our children, friends, co-workers, and mentors aren’t to be held as our own commodities, then we can tell the whole world about them without inhibition. We are liberal and free in our speech, smiling and talking highly of them. They are God’s craftsmanship, and they’re using all of the talent, ability, and heart that God has given them for our pleasure and those around us. When we share how awesome our kids are to others, in a way, we’re really sharing with them about how awesome is God.

Spending Time with Human Beings (Part I)

When I spend time with you, what is my goal? Do I simply wish to spend time with you, or do I have some sort of ulterior motive? Here are some reasons we spend time with each other that are suspect:

I want to fix you. I want to be fixed. I want you to make decisions for me. I want to make your decisions. I want to control you. I want to be controlled. I want to fulfill some sort of deep emotional need and I’m trying to suck it out of you. I need you to validate my status or position. I don’t want to let you down. I don’t want you to dislike me.

Other reasons are suspect, but these are a few of the big ones. Relationships based on these reasons above tend to be unhealthy and dysfunctional.

Lesson from a Shepherd

A friend of mine grew up as a shepherd until the age of 15 in East Africa. We were sharing stories with each other and he related a short parable to me that he learned from his mom: "Ten men who have 100 cows and all that milk--without love, they'll never be happy. Ten men who have only one cow and almost no milk for themselves--with love, they'll be happy." These life lessons seem to be all around the globe. Simple, yet profound.