Sharing is Frustrating...sometimes
It's become a cliche to hear parents say "because I said so," "that's just how it is," or "we're not discussing it anymore." As kids, we don't understand because we expect our parents — probably most adults in general — to have all the answers and to be able to explain them. When you become an adult, you realize you don't have all the answers. Worse yet, you realize it can be really hard to answer kids questions.
This week I was reading over an paper for someone when I read an analysis of a passage of Scripture that wasn't right. I marked it and tried to offer a different explanation. Then I doubted my memory a bit, so I looked up the passage and read two surrounding chapters to get some context. Then I re-read what was written and my critique and changed my mind again. Then I went back, re-read, paused to consider, and formulated my analysis. One paragraph written by a junior high student led to 30 minutes of personal reflection. Then, later, I tried to explain my correction.
I can't be certain, but based on the looks I was getting, my explanation was as coherent as Shannon Sharpe's NFL analysis on Sundays for CBS. Never a good sign...
I don't usually have to fish for words, whether in conversation or writing. I actually kind of like healthy discussion and debate, too, but in that moment, I felt like saying, trust me, I'm right, let's move on.
It was kind of a humbling process, but in a way it made me feel better. I mean, if I had all the answers, I'd really be in trouble.
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