For as long as I can remember, I have always been a bit unorthodox. No, I did not think of myself in those terms, but I got the feeling everyone else did.
I was in the third grade (at 7 years of age... don't ask) when I realised I was destined to be a bit of a misfit. I had been hit in the back by an older girl, who took away my snack, and I was caught in the midst of retaliating (I punched her and took it back :-O ) by my teacher, who decided that - whatever had happened (she didn't want the story) - we were both going to apologise. The aggressor said "Sorry", and they both waited expectantly for my response...
I did not miss a beat... "My mother says I'm not to lie, and I'm not sorry, so I'm not saying it."
Need I say that my teacher did a double take and delivered a fine whipping? I wonder why she never tried spanking my mother? There is a Jamaican saying that gives us the answer... "Cyaan ketch kwaaku, yuh ketch 'im shut!" Roughly translated, it means... if you are unable to catch [the suspect], grab his shirt [something of his, preferably of value].
The whipping changed nothing, and the hypocrisy of it all did not go unnoticed by my seven-year-old eyes. I did not yet know what I wanted to become, but I knew for sure who I was and I knew I was probably going to be in trouble with others for the rest of my short life.
Looking back with older eyes, I can now think of more diplomatic ways to articulate my thoughts, although I doubt I would have been spared the spanking. The reality is that truth is not popular, and it is more socially acceptable to keep your mouth shut and pretend to be happy just walking along with everyone else.
With time, I have found my centre of gravity in the life and teachings of Christ. He is like no one I have ever met. He asks me to shun sin, but He cherishes my individuality and uses my uniqueness for His glory. He asks me to stand up and be counted on the side of right, even if it means bucking the status quo (right up my alley ;) ).
In Him, I am still free to be me. Strange isn't it?
At His feet, there is no 'why can't you be like this or that one'... only 'Follow Me', because - although the path is the same - our gait and pace are not.
No 'do it like Sister Such-and-such'... only 'Go', because all work for the gospel's sake is His.
I love Him... don't you? :D
My three-year-old challenges my thinking everyday, and I see tiny slivers of my persona breaking through.
He asks questions. Hard questions. Uncomfortable questions even.
He speaks his mind, and we butt heads from time to time. One strong will against the other, and I keep praying for strength to get this right... to teach obedience without breaking the will or dictating to a conscience that should be subject only to Jehovah, to reward truthfulness and encourage expression of ideas, but - above all - to manifest the goodness of God in my discipline.
(As I was wrapping this up, I told SJ that I would be with him in a minute, when I've finished writing. His response? "Mommy, you're not writing... you're typing!" *sigh* Are mothers not allowed to make mistakes?)
I was in the third grade (at 7 years of age... don't ask) when I realised I was destined to be a bit of a misfit. I had been hit in the back by an older girl, who took away my snack, and I was caught in the midst of retaliating (I punched her and took it back :-O ) by my teacher, who decided that - whatever had happened (she didn't want the story) - we were both going to apologise. The aggressor said "Sorry", and they both waited expectantly for my response...
I did not miss a beat... "My mother says I'm not to lie, and I'm not sorry, so I'm not saying it."
Need I say that my teacher did a double take and delivered a fine whipping? I wonder why she never tried spanking my mother? There is a Jamaican saying that gives us the answer... "Cyaan ketch kwaaku, yuh ketch 'im shut!" Roughly translated, it means... if you are unable to catch [the suspect], grab his shirt [something of his, preferably of value].
The whipping changed nothing, and the hypocrisy of it all did not go unnoticed by my seven-year-old eyes. I did not yet know what I wanted to become, but I knew for sure who I was and I knew I was probably going to be in trouble with others for the rest of my short life.
Looking back with older eyes, I can now think of more diplomatic ways to articulate my thoughts, although I doubt I would have been spared the spanking. The reality is that truth is not popular, and it is more socially acceptable to keep your mouth shut and pretend to be happy just walking along with everyone else.
With time, I have found my centre of gravity in the life and teachings of Christ. He is like no one I have ever met. He asks me to shun sin, but He cherishes my individuality and uses my uniqueness for His glory. He asks me to stand up and be counted on the side of right, even if it means bucking the status quo (right up my alley ;) ).
In Him, I am still free to be me. Strange isn't it?
At His feet, there is no 'why can't you be like this or that one'... only 'Follow Me', because - although the path is the same - our gait and pace are not.
No 'do it like Sister Such-and-such'... only 'Go', because all work for the gospel's sake is His.
I love Him... don't you? :D
My three-year-old challenges my thinking everyday, and I see tiny slivers of my persona breaking through.
He asks questions. Hard questions. Uncomfortable questions even.
He speaks his mind, and we butt heads from time to time. One strong will against the other, and I keep praying for strength to get this right... to teach obedience without breaking the will or dictating to a conscience that should be subject only to Jehovah, to reward truthfulness and encourage expression of ideas, but - above all - to manifest the goodness of God in my discipline.
(As I was wrapping this up, I told SJ that I would be with him in a minute, when I've finished writing. His response? "Mommy, you're not writing... you're typing!" *sigh* Are mothers not allowed to make mistakes?)
2 lovely comment(s):
I love this article! Your explanation of yourself causes me to love you more ;O)! God sure did create your uniqueness. Yes, I love Him, too! Stand strong for Him always!
Sweet SJ, lol! Don't you just adore concrete thinkers?
Don't you love that God created us each unique and wants to use us! Just gives me chills!
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