Why We Follow Rules We Think Are Stupid.

So, do any of you follow any rules that you think are stupid?  Did you ever become a part of an organization and in order to be a member you had to abide by some guidelines you thought were stupid?  Did you ever get a job and you had to do something stupid like arrive on time?  Wear a certain kind of clothing?  Perform the duties you were being paid for?

Yah.  Me too. 

This is one of those things I talk to my kids about because, you guessed it, they already have to follow some rules they think are stupid.  The conversation generally goes something like this:

Kid:  I hate wearing a belt with my school pants. It's a stupid rule.  Do I really have to???
Me:  I think it's pretty silly that you have to wear a belt too, but yes, you do.
Kid:  Why???
Me:  Remember when you signed your name on that paper saying you would follow the school rules?
Kid:  Yes.
Me:  This is one of them.
*The End*

Pretty straightforward, pretty painless.

What I can't figure out is parents who try to find ways to help their kids get around the rules.  Take on school officials over some insignificant issue so that their precious child can have their way.  I'm serious.  It makes me feel like I'm on the train to crazy town.

Years ago, my husband and I were youth pastors.  During a conversation with a school administrator, my husband was told that in the 10 years this gentleman had been working at the high school, they had had 1, one, ONE parent that sided with them when they tried to hand down discipline to a student.  I was dumbfounded.  Actually, I'll admit that I thought he was exaggerating.

But, now, after having had my kids in the schools for a few years now, I doubt he was.  It is appalling to me that parents are so quick to bail their kids out and demand that their kids get their own way.  Appalling.  Aren't we, as parents, supposed to be teaching our kids how to one day function in society?  Isn't one of those lessons that they need to learn the one that talks about having to follow rules or face consequences?  Shouldn't we tell them that they won't always get their own way?  Don't they need to know that the boss won't care if they think the company uniform is nerdy?  Do we really want a generation of kids who live at home until they're in their mid 40's because they can't man up and do some stuff they don't want to do??  Anyone??  Bueller??

I know I'm preachin' to the choir here because I doubt any of "those" parents are probably interested in reading my blog.  But, I had to get it out.  I know I don't have all the answers, but come on.  This shouldn't even be a question.

I Sometimes Wish it was 50 Years Ago....

I know it's common for the current generation to think that their parents had it easier than they did.  I'm also sure that that is usually not true.  However.  I think it might be true in terms of educating one's children.

Today is going to be kind of a rant...fair warning.

It seems kind of idyllic in my mind - the thought of simply being able to put one's children on the neighborhood school bus and send them down the road to a decent education.  To a community school where you know they will be taught what they need to know and their safety won't be at risk. 

My kids' education has been such a potpourri - homeschool, christian school, charter school, traditional public school.  Sheesh, it's exhausting.

One of my daughter's said to me the other day, "Mom, we are weird when it comes to school.  I mean, I have a lot of friends who just start at one school and stay there until they graduate.  Why don't we do that?"

Simple question.  Not so simple answer.

The truth is, I sometimes wish we could just do that.  But, I really, really, really, really want what is best for each of my kids and I just haven't found one school or one method of schooling that accomplishes that for all of them.  Every year, we have to re-evaluate and not one year, educationally speaking, has ever looked the same in this house.

On the one hand, I'm glad I have options.  On the other hand, I'm glad I have options, it's just that those options sure complicate my life.

June Cleaver just didn't know how good she had it.

Umm...In Case You Were Wondering Why I Started This Blog.

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Really????

I have a lot to say about this lady's opinion.  I mean, really, A LOT.  But, in the spirit of why I started this blog in the first place, I won't rip her a new one on the internet.  :)

I made the choice that I made to be a stay at home Mom for many reasons.  Yes, it was a choice, and one that has been very difficult at times.  It certainly has not afforded me the opportunity to be lazy.  That thought makes me laugh until I almost cry.

I have tremendous respect for Moms who "do it all" and try my very best to be supportive of their choices.

I just want the same in return.

I will ask it again, Can't We All Just Get Along?

Part 2

Ok, so onto part 2...different convictions in the same belief system.

I laugh a little thinking that I could even begin to address this in the form of a blog, but I'm gonna give it my best shot.

I do not pretend to be the most knowledgeable Bible person around, but I have been a Christian for 30 years, did attend Bible College and have read the Bible many times.  All of the different denominations have always been a bit curious to me.  It is not so much that people have different thoughts about things that are said in the Bible that bothers me, but the fact that we fight over them - ridiculous.

This is the way I see it.

There are not many things in the Bible that are essential in terms of salvation.  No, I really believe that.  I believe that it is made abundantly clear that we need to be believe in Jesus.  Believe that he was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and died in our place for the atonement of our sins.  And honestly?  That's about all we HAVE to believe in order to belong to the body of Christ.

It's all the other stuff that we get hung up on and that causes fighting amongst us and makes us look silly to people who don't believe.  I heard this saying back in my Bible school days:

In the essentials - unity
In the non-essentials - liberty
In all things - charity

I agree.

Christianity is not about belonging to some club where everyone is exactly alike.  Have you ever looked around the earth?  The one God created?  It is nothing if not diverse.  God is creative and quite obviously likes things to be unique.  Each of us is an individual with out own personality, our own history, our own feelings about issues and our own way of dealing with life.  To think that we would all arrive at the same conclusions about all things Biblical is pretty close to insane.

You know what? 

I think God likes it.  I think He likes the fact that each of us has to think, pray, struggle and put forth some effort to arrive at our conclusions about Him and about this life.  I think He likes it because that is what having a relationship is all about.  He is not afraid of our questions and we shouldn't be afraid of each others.

His love and grace is big enough to hold us all - regardless of whether or not we believe the rapture will happen before or after the tribulation.

Know what I mean?

Back... with a Bang!

*Disclaimer*  Although the point of this blog is not to proselytize, I'm sure most of you have picked up on the fact that I am a Christian.  I try to keep my blogs mostly neutral in that regard, but the fact of the matter is that often the things that float through my brain have to do with my faith in one way or another.  I had some really wonderful "think" time over Christmas break and have a topic I want to talk about that is Christian in nature.  So, for those of you who do not claim to be Christian or religious, what follows may be boring, irrelevant or offensive to you.  It is meant to be none of those, and you are certainly welcome to read on; just consider yourself warned.  ;)

So, here goes.

Why is Christianity so offensive to people who don't follow it?  I seem to notice this more and more the older I get.  This following scenario is a perfect example of what I'm talking about.

I can't count the number of times that some "big name" in Christian circles has been pinned down by someone in the media to answer the question, "So, you believe that if people don't believe in Jesus they go to hell??!"  It's like they just can't wait for him to answer "yes" so they can pounce on him.  They want to berate him for being "unaccepting", "intolerant" or a "religious fanatic."  All the talk becomes about how judgemental said person is and "who do they think they are" is slung about on people's lips.  (I'm not actually sure if "slung" is a word, but I like it.  And it's my blog.)

This reaction is truly fascinating to me.

Let's just say that I was having a conversation with someone of the Muslim faith.  I don't know a vast amount about the Muslim faith, but I do know that westerners, in general, are considered to be infidels.  I certainly don't have 70 virgins waiting for me when I die, know what I mean?  I'm not exactly sure what their belief is about the afterlife, but I know it isn't good for folks like me.  You know what?  I don't care that they think that.  You know why?  Because I don't believe it. 

Why then, do people who do not claim to be Christians and who do not profess faith in Christ care if someone thinks they are going to hell?   Why can they not just shake it off and forget it about like I can?  It is indeed perplexing and I have yet to have someone give me a good answer to it.

So, I thought I would throw it out there and see what all of you think.

Also, there is part 2 to this question and it has to do with the differences of conviction within the Christian faith itself.  But, I figured this was enough for today.

So, enlighten me, am I missing something?

Oh, and Happiest of New Years to all of you!!!!