As parents, we are charged with the safety, education, love, and support of our children. We are their instructors, coaches, and cheerleaders. However, with all of our experiences and education, we can still learn from our children. Let me share a real story that occurred between one of my closet friends and his eldest son.
My friend’s son was in 2nd grade and is the oldest of 4 children. He and his siblings all go to the same school, so you can imagine what mornings are like getting them all ready! Hectic can sometimes be an understatement. Well, this particular morning my friend was getting the children ready and moving quickly, and was reminded by his eldest son that he hadn’t given him any lunch money. So my friend told him, “Son, I’m coming back. Tell your teacher that I’m coming back.”
Now, we all know that our children hang on to every word we say, and my friend’s son did just that. The day went on and lunchtime rolled around and my friend’s son didn’t have any lunch. His teacher asked him where his lunch or lunch money was. The young boy responded telling him, “My daddy said he’s coming.” Time passed and the end of lunch time was drawing near.
The teacher tells my friend’s son that he’s going to call his father because he may have forgotten. The young man replies and tells him not to call because “My daddy said he’s coming.” The teacher insisted on calling my friend, but his son spoke with the authority of his father and said, “My daddy said he’s coming.” This went on for a few more minutes because the teacher wanted to make sure that my friend’s son could eat.
Shortly after the last exchange between my friend’s son and his teacher, my friend’s father walks in the door with his son’s food. My friend’s son was sitting quietly at the table and when he saw his dad, he commented to his teacher “See, I told you he was coming!”
This true story taught me many things, but there were 3 especially noteworthy things that children can teach their parents about faith:
1. My friend’s son believed, without question, what his father said regardless of what it seemed like at the moment. The fact that all the other kids were enjoying their lunch and having a great time while my friend’s son couldn’t eat had no bearing on the belief, faith, and trust in his father’s promises. What would happen if we believed God’s word…his promises that are “Yes and Amen” as my friend’s son did. How impactful would our lives, our families, and our careers be to God’s kingdom if we exercised this kind of blind, unquestioning faith.
2. My friend’s son sat still in the face of opposition. When hearing this story, another thing that stood out to me was how my friend’s son was sitting when his father arrived. His posture was of an expectant nature! He was not worried. He was not afraid. The thought of not having food did not enter his mind. Even if it did, my friend’s son did not flinch in the face of seeming adversity and opposition. Remember, scripture tells us that when we wait upon the Lord (expectantly) our strength, will, and needs will be renewed. We will be elevated high about like the eagle ready to reign and rule freely.
3. My friend’s son spoke with the authority of his father! When in the classroom, the teacher has the authority. The principal and other administrators also have the authority over the children. However, when my friend’s son said what his father said, the teacher’s authority was trumped. The teacher did not make the phone call because the instructor was told what my friend said to his son. He spoke with authority and conviction!
He spoke without fear, and those who thought they had authority had to yield. They had to acquiesce to the authority of the young man’s father. My friend’s son spoke his father’s words with so much zest and certainty that even the others that had no knowledge of the prior conversation believed. That power and conviction was in the heart of my friend’s son, and just as the Bible says in Luke 6:45, what’s in the heart will come out.
Yes, my 37 year old friend is the teacher and an example for his 7 year old son. But, on that day the son became the teacher. He taught me something as well, and how thankful and grateful I am for the lessons!
