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There was a television show a few years back entitled Kids Say The Darndest Things. Featuring ironic and humorous quips from young kids, the show was often entertaining as well as enlightening. As a father of five young girls, my life feels like one continuous episode of the show, minus the laugh track and studio audience.
Recently, my second oldest in frustration made a statement regarding how my wife and I were parenting, which she considered too strict to her young mind. My daughter said, “I think you guys must have forgotten what it is like to be a kid.” Her mother then asked, “Why do you say that?”
What followed was both funny and reflective. My daughter said, “Because if you remembered what it was like to be a kid you wouldn’t be so strict and you wouldn’t ask us to do so many chores like clean our room and take out the trash.”
My father ears interpreted my daughters frustrations with humor and a hint of reflection. “One day you will understand and appreciate why we ask you to do these things, just as we have learned to love, respect, and appreciate what our parents did, even though it was hard at the time.”
My spiritual ears heard the voice of my Heavenly Father looking at his spirit children and responding, “Trust me, one day you will understand and appreciate why I ask you to keep my commandments, and to love God and your neighbor. Even though it may seem hard right now, you will one day appreciate why I invite you to keep yourself clean, to keep the trash out of your life, and to work hard to live the way I am showing you how to live.”
I realized that in many ways, I have forgotten what it is like to be a kid—a kid of a Heavenly Father. I don’t always know what is best for me, even though I think I do. I need to re-learn obedience and trust. I need to not throw fits when I don’t get what I want, and rather appreciate the idea that my Heavenly Father is blessing me in the way that is best.
- What are some truths that you have learned “out of the mouth of babes?”
