I Love You Lord

by David Lins  |  05/20/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Parenthood seems to be one long string of graduations. No, I’m not talking about preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and college. Those are for the children. I am referring to the parents.

Kids just keep growing up and as the parents start to finally master that “level of parenting,” the kids evolve into something new. It’s the parenting equivalent of “Oh. You think you are running the show, high school varsity popular kid? Here comes college where nobody knows you!”

Here are some parenting graduation moments: when they become mobile, become verbal, recognize they have free will, discover the opposite sex, get a license... The list goes on and on.

At 4 1/2, Georgiana has recently mastered using various adult tones and facial expressions in combination. This has led to some new lessons about how it isn’t just what you say, but how you say it. Another big lesson is saying “I love you” is wonderful and important, but you show you love your parents by listening to their instruction.

Let me repeat that one: you show your love for your parents by listening to their instruction... (Anyone want to guess where I’m going with this?)

This weekend’s Gospel contains the words of Jesus, “He who does not love me does not keep my words.”

It is great to pray every single day and tell the Lord we love him. And we should! It brings joy to his Heart, just like I light up whenever Georgiana says it to me. But I need her to show it by listening to my instruction—even when my words might seem restrictive or a bit much. Why? I am trying to keep her from unnecessary harm and help her be the best version of who God made her to be.

We MUST listen to the Lord’s instructions—even when they seem restrictive or a bit much—because he is only trying to keep us from unnecessary harm and help us be the best version of who he made us to be.

If we do this, we will continue to graduate into new depths of relationship with our Lord. “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”

Comments, concerns, questions? Email David at dlins@oloj.org

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