There Won't Be Any Keys
[Sunday School Post for 12/12/04]
It's taken me awhile to figure out how, or even if, I should write this blog post. That sounds far more dramatic than I intend, but I'm guessing that anytime you write about someone elses kids, in particular anytime you write about someone elses kids doing or saying something that would fit within the margins of the ubiquitous "bad", you better dang well make sure you're careful about it. So this post, in a strange example of "responsible journalism" has been vetted by a one "Orion Dark", the father of Isabelle. Keep that in mind.
The start of class was enunciated by a rather amusing combination of events, the first being Josiah strolling into the classroom done up in a full furry winter parka with a mini-super soaker and swimming goggles. It looked like this, but about twice as funny; and imagine him with a big "I'm happy to see all of you" grin on his face.
Then the 4-5 year old Sunday school class came in our room and we sang little Christmas and praise songs for about 15 minutes. Dr. Steele sat at this little pump piano that was tuned far too high to play the songs. The imagery of Dr. Steele at the little pump piano play the Glory Patri (at Isabelle's request) with Josiah in parka & swimming goggles, mini-super soaker in hand was a bit too much to take.
Our lesson was concerning Joseph giving grain to his brothers, and the rather interesting run-around he gave them. Well, I found the run-around interesting, the kids were more interesting in the pictures of Joseph in Egyptian headgear standing before his brothers, giving them food, in particular, a big turkey. Did they have big thanksgiving turkey's in ancient Egypt?
The point I tried to drive home was that it's important to love and be kind to the people who are mean to us, including our brothers and sisters. At first I thought they'd gotten the concept. For fun I had them draw pictures of *gifts* they would like to give their brothers and sisters who are mean to them. Josiah decided that a dolphin would be a fitting present for his brother Asa and he got right on it.
This is where things got a little odd. And I still don't quite know what to think. I asked Isabelle what she was going to give/draw Ender. She responded: "I'm not going to give Ender anything. I don't want to be nice to him. I'm mean. I'm powerful. I will give Marin (Josiah's older sister ) something nice, but not Ender. I'm going to lock him in the basement with the door closed and no key. No Key! And he wont be able to get out and he will die and will starve. Because I'm powerful! And I will kill him dead."
I was somewhat stunned, and I asked her, "Isabelle why would you do that?" Her response "Because I want to." Me: "But It's wrong." Her: "I don't care. I'm powerful" (at this point she "flexed" her arm muscles) to which I said "Isabelle that's horrible" to which she responded, rather matter of factly, "I'm a pig."
I sat there stunned for a bit, Isabelle looking at me, I think gauging me for a response. Josiah, watching this rather intense interaction occur rather intently suddenly pipped up "I'll give Ender a present."
So, that's the post for today. I felt weird posting it because it felt strange airing something so oddly, well, sinful when Isabelle isn't my child. I mean, as a Pastor's kid growing up I grew rather accustomed to anyone and everyone feeling it was their business to comment on who I am and what I do and how my parents raised me, so its one of my personal maxims when it comes to inter-church relationships.
Isabelle's definately one of the most misunderstood kids I've ever met. She's so out there and blatant about her emotions, even her sinful one. In one sense, its refreshing. She'll spell out her rebellion for you in the most thorough of ways. But it also means her obedience and repentence is that explicit also.
Anyways, the whole event has really gotten my wheels spinning on how on earth I'm going to handle my kids. I'm fairly certain that my kids will have the potential for greatness, that is, evil greatness or good greatness, I just hope its the latter by the grace of God.
Josiah Q. Roe | By Josiah Roe | 01:24 PM
Comments
Man, I *told* Orion not to read Nietzsche to his kids at bedtime. But did he listen? Nooooooooooooooooo. Now, he's paying the piper.
Posted by: Phil at December 20, 2004 01:38 PM
I remember being very open about my dislike for my younger brothers when I was little, but I can't remember now why it was such a big deal to tell people this, because I still liked my brothers. Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't think to add the whole "I'm powerful" line to it, that was pretty clever.
Posted by: linnea at December 21, 2004 11:43 PM
It's rough when we're confronted with blatant sin. Our sin doesn't really abate that much over time; we just find ways to make it more palatable to those around us. I don’t like seeing my own, it in my kids, co-workers or my own Sunday school class. But just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
We're used hiding or sugar coating the act (and consequences) of our own sins that raw sin is too spicy for our pallet. I'm glad you were able to keep your cool and talk with her about it. In addition to calling her out - talk through your own sinful heart and the consequences you’ve had to deal. This will not only help these kids, it will eventually help you talk with your own. Acknowledging that our sin is real, how it hurts God and us helps teach kids that the grace that saves us must be the same grace that we hope in to sustain us.
Posted by: David at December 23, 2004 03:34 PM
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