Teachable Moments - August 19, 2024
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 106:1-18; Judges 17:1-13; Acts 7:44-8:1a; John 5:19-29
I’m certain we’ve all either said or heard this piece of advice: “Do as I say and not as I do.” I can’t count the times when my children were small when I would catch one of them doing something I had repeatedly asked them not to do. However, if all the stars were in alignment, just before I lost my cool, I would realize I had done the exact same thing. Forget to turn out the lights, leave the water on while I was brushing my teeth or worse, make a snap judgement about someone. Unfortunately, those moments of clarity didn’t occur near as often as I wish they had.
The purpose of this saying is plain but why do we need to say it? Could it be we’re not near as good at being responsible adults as we would like to be? That actions really do speak louder than words? I was with some children this past summer at camp and as I watched them, I realized how much each one reflected the adult influence in their lives. At dinner some offered to pass the food and get seconds for the table, while others would try to get out of cleanup duty. Some would wait patiently for their turn, while others would try to break in line.
The truth is we aren’t born and raised in a cocoon, free of outside influence. Some traits are likely inherited but so very much of who we are is environmental. Their environment being their homelife, the adults and other children they’re around, their family, friends, teachers, and school mates, even the TV programs and music to which they’ve been exposed. All these things influence our young people. I remember when one of mine was about 5, she said something sarcastic and my mother looked at me and said, “Well she has you to thank for that smart mouth.” I was immediately defensive, even though she was at least partially correct. As much as I wish I could control my children’s outside influences, I couldn't then and I still can’t. At that point she was in school more than she was at home with me. There were friends of hers I could tell were going to be a good influence and others I wish she had never met.
I have a strong emotional investment in the children I raised and the children in all the other areas of my life. Do I love them? More than I can say but it’s more than that. I have a vested interest in who they become as adults, as the people who will be raising and teaching and caring for other children. One of Jesus’ two most frequented activities was teaching, the other was healing. He taught in every way possible - as he ate with friends and strangers, as he walked, and as he preached. He used every opportunity with others as a teachable moment. Sometimes he taught through mind-boggling parables, and sometimes by example, but always with the intention of creating fertile soil for deep roots and fruitful growth.
In the gospel appointed for today, Jesus says, “the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father* does, the Son does likewise. 20The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing.” The object of Jesus’ teachings was self-knowledge, for us to discover the image of God which dwells within us all. There is a story about a desert father who was approached by someone who wished to learn from him. The old man replied, I will not tell you what to do but if you wish you can do what you see me doing. Jesus did what he saw God doing. If only we could do and act as the person, we wish our children could be, to help them see the image of God within themselves. Who says we can’t? We can do nothing that is true and good on our own. God’s love and our longing for God are a wonderful place to start. After all, what could be more important than being present in all the good and true ways for our youth? For each other?
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Self-Reflection: Who was a strong, positive influence in your life? What did you learn from them? Do you think about how your actions influence the young people who observe you?