It's been a while since I've seen the movie "A Few Good Men", but of course I remember the famous line "You Can't Handle the Truth!". I have two girls that are very curious about how babies come out of a mom's tummy. I'm really not sure how much to tell them. I have tried to brush the questions off, giving them answers like the doctor knows how to get them out and nothing so far has satisfied their questions. I want to be honest with them and at the same time not tell them more than they can handle at the ripe old ages of 5 and 6. I feel like yelling You Can't Handle the Truth! Or maybe I can't handle the truth is more like it. I just hate when I get to these stages of parenting when I feel like I have no idea what to do or how to handle things. The scary thing is that I know this is only the beginning of conversations and questions that I will feel ill equipped to handle.
So what do I do? Can I ship them off to a camp for things like this? When I get to the end of my rope on things I know I have to rely on Christ for help. I guess that is a good thing. If I can always handle everything on my own, then I really have no need for Christ. Who knew my ignorance would be such an asset in my spiritual life?
It's funny how being a parent can give you some perspective on the Christian life. Being the smart person that I am, I assume I know everything. I demand the answers to life's intricacies and tragedies. But I don't always get them and that makes me mad. We don't understand why things happen the way they do or why we just don't know the answer right now. Maybe God is saying You Can't Handle the Truth! I stomp my feet like a 5 year old and think I know what's best. But my heavenly Father will tell me only what he sees fit and good for me at the time. I have to trust in His goodness and wisdom.
It's really humbling to think of my job as a parent this way. There are TV Shows, movies, music, friends and all sorts of other influences that we need to have the role of gatekeepers for our kids and talk with them openly and honestly about the things that are going on. I am so thankful to have access to the heavenly Father's wisdom. I just need a kick in the head to realize that I need to quit trying to do it on my own and spend way more time on my knees before each day of this important job.
Proverbs 9:10-11
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years of life will be added to you." (NKJV)
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4 comments:
You could always invite to them to the delivery! Or video it for family viewing later. No really, I have to force myself to be frank when those questions come up. Sometimes the bluntness of the answers shock me - I'll tell you about how we answered your question offline sometime. But keeping these things 'secret' or 'in the dark' just isn't healthy long-term.
Michelle, I'm so glad that I found your blog. I have been reading your blog for a while now and just wanted to say that you have been an inspiration to me. You are a wonderful mommy missionary, and I have really appreciated your thoughtful posts.
Your post today reminded me of my 3-year-old recently questioning me regarding the anatomical differences between boys and girls!
This is a really tough one! With my kids 4,6, and 8 - I found honesty is the best policy. I tried to approach it by saying things like, "You know God is so amazing - He made mommies special..." then explain in a little more detail. My 6 year old daughter is pretty proud that God made her special and able to have a baby some day (far, far away!!). I think if you make it cool and amazing then they sense that. I want my kids to ask me those hard, uncomfortable questions before they learn stuff from their friends. It's VERY hard. How much longer until #5 makes its entrance into the world?
I am glad you wrote this one. We are struggling with the same issues. I am choosing to do a study with Faith called "Secret Keeper"(the one for young girls, not the one for high school age). I will let you know how it goes. I am hoping that if I start with modesty, the rest will fall into place. I also really appreciated the other comments!
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