(This is a repost from February 20, 2009)
Sometimes I know exactly what our kids need. I can look ahead and know that they will be in that situation and will need that solution.
I know it. But I may not tell them.
Sometimes they decide to ask ahead of time. We can take care of their need.
Sometimes they come to me at the last minute. Maybe I can help, maybe I can’t.
Sometimes they come to me afterwards and say, “I should have asked.”
Why do I let them suffer? Do you think I’m a bad parent for not acting even if I’m not asked? Do you think that I should anticipate their every difficulty and even if they forget their homework assignment, should take it to school? Do you think that they will learn anything at all about taking responsibility for paying attention or will they merely take me for granted?
It is possible that sometimes I know what is going on and choose to wait for them to ask for help?
Is it possible that sometimes they ask for help and set in process the things that will help them and because they don’t see what they expect, they keep begging me to do something?
Is it possible that they spend enormous amounts of energy worrying about what I am already taking care of?
Is it possible that my action for their good will happen on my timetable rather than theirs?
It is possible that what they call “not caring” and what they call “ignoring” and what they call “not listening” and what they call “forever” are none of those things?
And if it is possible that in my wisdom as a dad, I act differently than my children expect but still for their good, isn’t is possible God does, too?
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