There are some things that your parents won't tell you about the covert actions they employ to raise you. In the future they will have many closed door sessions about how they might shape your strong will and how they might prevent breaking your wonderful spirit. They will lower their voices and often fight with each other over how to discipline you. I hate telling you this, but they will also speak in code from time to time.
So as your grandfather, I feel it my duty to clue you in on a few things.
First, let me say this: They are rookies. That's a nice way of saying that they are making it up as they go. Although they are learning on you, I would like for you to cut them some slack over the next 50 years. Also, there is a much deeper reason for giving them space to fail and succeed.,,
They are trusting you.
Yes, it may sound strange that your parents are trying to trust someone who still wets his pants. But it's true. And it's a right thing for them to start so early. For example,
Let me say it another way.
At the moment, you rely on them for 100% of everything - food, cleaning, transportation, shelter, etc. But you would be mistaken to think that the job of your Mama and Papa is to reduce your reliance on them down to zero percent. Their job is not to teach you to be independent... their job is to teach you to be dependent on Another.
Even as rookies, they are showing great courage. Ultimately they are trusting God with you. In learning to count on them now, you are preparing yourself in advance to trust Another. And that will be your greatest hope come true!
So as your grandfather, I feel it my duty to clue you in on a few things.
First, let me say this: They are rookies. That's a nice way of saying that they are making it up as they go. Although they are learning on you, I would like for you to cut them some slack over the next 50 years. Also, there is a much deeper reason for giving them space to fail and succeed.,,
They are trusting you.
Yes, it may sound strange that your parents are trying to trust someone who still wets his pants. But it's true. And it's a right thing for them to start so early. For example,
- They let you put things into your mouth that don't belong there, trusting you will discover this truth on your own.
- They help you understand the word NO in little ways, trusting you will discover a big freedom in the future that is found within boundaries.
- They will allow you to make bad choices, trusting you will be shaped by God through the impending results.
- They will allow you to keep some bad company, trusting you will lean on Another to love the bad company instead of follow the bad company.
Let me say it another way.
At the moment, you rely on them for 100% of everything - food, cleaning, transportation, shelter, etc. But you would be mistaken to think that the job of your Mama and Papa is to reduce your reliance on them down to zero percent. Their job is not to teach you to be independent... their job is to teach you to be dependent on Another.
Even as rookies, they are showing great courage. Ultimately they are trusting God with you. In learning to count on them now, you are preparing yourself in advance to trust Another. And that will be your greatest hope come true!
When you are older I'd like for you to read these words from a man named John Piper...
The harder it seems for God to fulfill his promise, the better he looks when you trust him. Suppose that you are at the deep end of a pool by the diving board. You are four years old and can’t swim, and your daddy is at the other end of the pool. Suddenly a big, mean dog crawls under the fence and shows his teeth and growls at you and starts coming toward you to bite you. You crawl up on the diving board and walk toward the end to get away from him. The dog puts his front paws up on the diving board. Just then, your daddy sees what’s happening and calls out, “Johnny, jump in the water. I’ll get you.”
Now, you have never jumped from one meter high and you can’t swim and your daddy is not underneath you and this water is way over your head. How do you make your daddy look good in that moment? You jump. And almost as soon as you hit the water, you feel his hands under your arms and he treads water holding you safely while someone chases the dog away. Then he takes you to the side of the pool.
We give glory to God when we trust him to do what he has promised to do–especially when all human possibilities are exhausted. Faith glorifies God.
Love,
Pops
