Green green grass

Sitting here in my office, I look outside on this awesome day and notice such green grass that was freshly cut. The trees are starting to bud, and the birds are chirping. I just love the sunshine in the spring; it’s so awesome. Of course, this got me thinking about life and what it’s about. I know I don’t have time to just sit and ponder, but I did anyway. Here is the question I want to ask you to think about today.

Have you ever wished you had it as good as someone else? “The grass is always greener…” statement comes to mind in this situation. This has definitely come to my mind lately when our daughter colors with permanent marker on the hard wood floors of our new house, or when one of the kids pees his pants 3 times in one day, or when we get a call from the teacher that our kid slapped the teacher’s aid. Yes, all of those things have recently happened. I definitely get into complain mode to God. “Why didn’t you make it easier to raise kids?” or “Can you please just help them not drive me crazy today?”

I know Alyssa and I look like we have it all together. I can’t tell you how many times we have heard the statement, “You guys must have so much patience.” Well we DON’T by any means, and often, I question my own sanity as to why I would put myself in a situation that pushes my patience to its utter end every day. I see how easy some have it, or so it would seem. I just wish my kids acted this way or that. It would all comfort me and make me feel good about life. I never would have to call another teacher and try to talk them into the fact that we don’t condone hitting, especially those in authority. <-- This really happened. 

Yes, there are definitely things that push my buttons, and when I’m in the middle of it, like anyone, I get into super complain mode. I scream to the heavens, “Why Me God?”. The real problem is I know what God’s answer is, and I wait for him to open up the heavens and one day scream back at me, “Because I called You.” I was called by God to raise these children? I was called by God to be the man of my house? I was called by God to make sure my “Grass” is as well taken care of as I possibly can?

I know I am unqualified for the position of “Dad”, and I screw up so much with this job that I’m not sure why I can’t be replaced by a pygmy goat? The truth is, my kids are so awesome and deserve everything I can give them. Unfortunately, we, as adults and parents, spend more time admiring other people’s “Grass” then admiring our own. We see all the imperfections in our “Grass”. There are so many imperfections at times that you think, “There is no way I am taking care of this lawn correctly or effectively.” The truth is, you may not be. If that is the case, then what can you do to fix it and grow it correctly? You may be doing everything in your power to grow and nourish your “Grass”, and it still looks like it does. No lawn is perfect, but you see the problems and are focusing on that. Listen to the right voice. 

One of my older sons came to me in tears completely torn down by the world around him. His biggest statement to me was, “I feel like I can’t do anything right. Everyone tells me what I’m not good at, and I get yelled at for my flaws.” In further discussion, we came to find out that everyone isn’t telling him those things or yelling at him. He was listening to the wrong voices and focusing on them. I told him the same thing I will tell you because this is what I feel like God reminds me of regularly. “You were made specifically by God for something that only you can do.” God has called YOU!!!

Sometimes the grass looks so nice from a distance in someone else's life, but when you get close up, there is no perfect lawn. There is no life that is perfect. Everything has flaws. That’s what makes us human. Listen to the right voice about your “Grass” and your life and know that you are the one that God made to take care of it all. If He felt like you would be better suited in another place, I’m sure that’s where you would be. Love and nurture your “Grass” to the best of your ability so that one day when you are standing before God you hear, “Well Done”!!! 

We can’t control most of the decisions our kids make. All we can do is proactively try to guide them in making the right decisions and then teach them in what decision they have made, either right or wrong. Listen to God’s voice on how to raise your family and what is the best way to grow them up so that when they grow old, they don’t depart from it. 

Well, enough pondering today and back to work…