My son and I were going to the movies on Sunday afternoon to see Prince Caspian (amazing by the way). I said, "Let's pop some popcorn (since they charge an arm and a leg and require you to mortgage your house, car and give up your first born for a popcorn and soda) and grab a couple bottles of water and put them in your backpack with your sweatshirt." My son (8) asked, "Dad, isn't that against the rules?" My wife quickly exited the room and left me hanging.
Then it slipped out, "Some rules are bad rules." This started a whole conversation, of course, about obeying the rules. I guess the safe thing to do would have been to admit that my son was right and to stay in the black and white. But life is gray sometimes and I know popcorn isn't that important but the conversation was bound to happen at some point, especially since I can be a bit rebellious.
But, isn't it true? Aren't some rules bad rules?
What if everyone in Germany would have followed all the rules in the 1940's? What if they would have had high tea instead of a big "party" in Boston on December 16, 1773? What if everyone would have followed all the rules in the 1860's and the 1960's? What if the first disciples would have followed the rules? What if Jesus would have followed the rules?
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3 comments:
lol! that's great. justice calls me out on breaking the rules too.
fyi the drive inn on lake worth road is a great alternative. it's cheap and you can bring in all the food and drinks you want. seriously...people bring coolers with them. it cost me a total of $8 to see that movie w/ justice
Yes...but how do you decide? And when do you let him decide for himself which are good and bad rules? That's why gray areas are trouble.
Great post.
This is a great question, Michael. Life is not always black and white - at least this is my experience. It's filled with difficult decisions that we must make. Life is hard and this includes being a dad (parent).
I try to make decisions that flow from Christlike character. The way to develop this is to know His heart. The way to know His heart is to encounter Him as the living Word of God each and every day.
My son is 8 and he makes decisions, on his own, every day. I realize that he's been doing this since he was born. This is life. He is a uniquely created person just like me. God wants his heart too. The way he learns how to make good and Godly decisions is by watching me and my wife. Believe me. He's watching our every move. This means I must do the same.
He also learns because I teach him and talk to him about life. We read God's word together, we pray together and I talk to him about the Lord. I admit when I am wrong (I've been wrong plenty) and ask for forgiveness when I need to.
I'm not sure if I failed on the whole good rules, bad rules discussion but it won't be the last time this lesson is discussed. What I am not going to fail at is loving him with all that I have and in the end all I have is my integrity.
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