Category: DOC Thoughts
Friday Words
“Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.” (Rita Mae Brown)
Life has its teaching moments and for people who work and serve with children and youth allowing teaching moments to happen is often hard for us to do even though we know it is valuable knowledge. Two generations of parents have struggled with allowing their children to fail, make bad decisions and learn from those experiences; and these same egocentric, self esteem driven children and youth end up at church where community is valued more than individuality. They want and need community, but do not know how to ask for it or live in it. This is the byproduct of a personalized, super-sized, for-profit consumer salvation [Jesus & God] that is celebrated in some branches of Christendom that makes parenting, ministry with parents, their children and youth difficult. Christian has become so “generic” that the Christian unity movement can close up shop. Success!
Children and youth know, just know, that community (having a place to be comfortable, find identity, and safe space to question/learn) is better than the newest smart phone, app, and for some even a drivers license. They know it. As best you can allow teaching moments to happen. Too many children and youth have parents that are their friends when they need parents that behave like adults when experience comes from both, good and bad judgement. I tell youth I want them to learn how to live their discipleship consistently, in the good moments of life and during the bad judgement moments; and even when the bad judgement is not their own, but they are effected by it. Sometimes that means rescuing them from dangerous situations, but that does not mean removing the life teaching moment that comes with conversation, prayer, and reordering priorities following bad judgement. I’m grateful for the adults that allowed me to risk failure and gain life/faith experience.
Friday Words
You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?”
This Steven Wright quote has stuck with me this week as Lisa and I move form a condo to a house. This is the third move in two years (long story). As I have packed and unpacked there have been aha moments and with family helping a story or two shared about a photo or book. As much as I do not want to be, I admit it, I am a consumer. I think one of the best gifts that can be offered children and youth right now is an alternative world view about consumption and stuff. Everyone needs some stuff, but many, many of us have more stuff than we need. George Carlin has a great perspective on your stuff that you can probably find online somewhere.
As you prepare for the July 4th celebration I encourage you to consider not talking about freedom or the flag on the sacred steps of your worship space. Most of the hymns that are sung in worship on this Sunday can be characterized with the phrase, “God bless America and nobody (no where) else.” I do not think this helps a first or even fourth impression of America values. So, a suggestion, if you are going to talk with the children about the July 4th holiday then return to the “melting pot’ notion of what America is all about: one nation with liberty and justice for all. How does following Jesus teach the children (all of us) about justice and liberty? This would be a conversation worthy of the sacred steps. Good luck and thanks for serving the children and youth in your midst.