I want to invite you to picture the scene with me. John and I are leaving our neighborhood the other day. Up ahead I see a golf cart being driven by a ten-year-old boy (I'm guessing the ages), clearly the oldest of the group. He has a co-pilot a few years younger. The youngest of these three is probably 7 and he is on an old worn out child's battery operated 4-wheeler. Looking on as a bystander and the possible look out is another boy on a bicycle. Visualize with me the scene. It is a summer morning and few adults are traveling this neighborhood road. The two older boys have tied a rope from the golf cart to the worn out battery operated 4-wheeler. After closer inspection not only is the 4- wheeler old, it has at least one flat tire. The older boys are driving the golf cart at a good pace then stopping and turning at the same time so that the youngest boy goes flying out to the side of the golf cart. He is holding on tight so that he keeps on the moving or flying mode of transportation. As we approach the stop sign, the youngest boy is coming very close to hitting a solid object that will not be moving upon impact. A very secure Stop Sign.
As we approach the group, I roll down my window, to give some Motherly instruction. "Boys" I call out the window. They turn and respond. I tell them to be careful and tell them that if they run the rider into the stop sign that he could be VERY hurt. I ask them to be careful. Now let me tell you I've had this need to "parent" from a very young age. I am the oldest child in my family and felt a responsibility to care for my younger siblings and cousins from an early age. A responsibility that I am sure was not appreciated by those who I tried to parent. I can remember my own children reminding me NOT to parent other children, a self-appointed responsibility I cannot seem to shirk. So as I am instructing these boys, I can hear my own adult children saying "Mom, please do not tell other people's children how to behave."
After I have given my Motherly advice and feeling accomplished, I turn to look at my husband, who is smiling at me. He also speaks into the young plays playing. He asks "Are you having Fun?". They smile really big and say "YES". He says "okay, be careful". So once again I am reminded about how we are created Male and Female. As a mom, I'm relaying the danger of their activity and as a Dad, my husband is joining in the adventure of boys being boys. We each have a vital role to play as Mom and Dad, each of us doing our part.
Father God, help each of us as we live out our God-given roles in our lives. Let our direction come from you, our Creator. Amen
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