January 9 - Character vs. Behavior

Although the last couple weeks have been a wonderful holiday celebration, with fun interspersed between lovely, restful periods, they have also been some of the most difficult in my life. Without going into details, suffice it to say it is an acute misery to watch my own character weaknesses played out in my children's choices.

I desperately wish for my kids to rise above their sinful natures, to succeed, to avoid potentially life-derailing pranks. Yet, so many mistakes are part of normal development and growth. Who hasn't "borrowed" money from mom without permission or snagged a pack of gum in the checkout line? Who doesn't tell the "funny work story" to paint himself as the smart one in the group? With competing values of self-interest in-the-now versus integrity, how do we guide kids through the ever-extending minefield in this global-instant-permanent age? How do we promote honesty and thoughtfulness but avoid training cunning and self-preservation from punishment?

These are the topics that our extended family has been wrestling with recently, made ever so much more fun by the complicated cast of players: mom, stepdad, dad, stepmom, grandpa, brothers and sister, stepbrother and stepsister. While the issues are probably a normal part of parenting, and I am blessed with cooperative participants, let me just say it's painfully obvious why divorce is really not God's plan for family.

Anyway, we will move forward, and continue to pray that as we all make mistakes they are more of the "Oops! Sorry!" type and less of the character-flaw-permanent-record variety. Any additional prayers are appreciated!