We gaze into the face of our newborn babies, and we are consumed with love. We hold them in our arms for hours, and the moment we’re apart, we long to hold them again. We study their eyes for a hint of recognition, but they still don’t know who we are. They’ve no idea what it means to love us, but we’re obsessively in love with them, and that’s all that really matters.
God feels the same way about us.
As they grow, we actively nurture, discipline, and educate them, because we want to give them a foundation for the very best life possible. We long to lavish every good thing upon them, but we sometimes withhold worldly pleasures, because we know it’s not always in their best interest. We’re more concerned about developing their characters than indulging their desires.
God feels the same way about us.
And then they become…
TEENAGERS
Our precious bundles of joy are transformed into irritable, demanding creatures who think the universe revolves around them.
Suddenly, they’re ashamed to be seen with us in public.
They shrug off our affections.
They have no interest in our council or teaching.
They are irritated by our structure and rules.
They lash out at us when they are hurting when all we want to do is provide comfort and healing.
They’re annoyed with our presence (except when they need something.)
They blame us for their problems.
They expect us to get them out of messes they get themselves into.
They scoff at our wisdom, but revere harmful ideologies.
The wound us callously and don’t think to apologize.
They aren’t grateful for the work that we do for them, and sometimes even take the credit.
They ignore our instructions in spite of repeated warnings, and then get angry when they’re finally disciplined for it.
They mock and criticize our actions without the faintest understanding of our reasons.
They demand an independence they have no way of supporting.
They insist we “don’t understand” when we’ve already been through what they’re experiencing.
They don’t believe us when we tell them how to be happy. Instead, they seek happiness through their own devices despite repeated disappointments.
Sometimes they even run away from home, and then hide from us when we’re anxiously trying to reach them.
And that’s all we ever really want to do is reach them. Because although they can be selfish, exasperating little people, we’re completely crazy about them.
Despite bouts of angst and irritability, teenagers can be the most lovable people on earth. They are sensitive, spirited, witty, adventurous, and far more intelligent than they often get credit for. Their antics are unpredictable and hilarious. They are dreamers; filled with hope and passion. They are complex, contemplative, and observant. They are the next generation of leaders and problem solvers. As such, their place in society is vital. They see things with a fresh set of eyes, and bring innovative solutions to unresolved problems.
The vulnerability of their youth necessitates structured boundaries and discipline, but their impending adulthood makes their cooperation, for the most part, volitional. If they refuse, we’re disappointed, but our love for them is unhindered. Our desire for them to respect our rules is for their own good, not ours.
As they transition into adulthood we’ll grant them their freedom and hope that they make wise choices. We’ll continue to advise and assist them, but we won’t force our will on them. We’ll convey our earnest desire to maintain closeness of relationship them, but ultimately, the choice will be theirs. As in their infancy, our passionate love for them will be completely independent of their feelings toward us.
But we really, really hope they will choose to love us back. We hope they’ll visit often. That they’ll include us in their lives and families. That they’ll share their deepest thoughts and desires with us. That they’ll continue to draw from our wisdom as they navigate the difficulties of life, and allow us to help them through it. That our relationship with one another will grow continually stronger with the passage of time, and that we’ll enjoy closeness and companionship all the days of our lives.
And God feels the same way about us.