Stuff I've Learned About God: Individuality Is Good
I've been a sincere Christian for most of my life, but in the not-quite three years that I've been a Dad, I've really understood God's role as Heavenly Father so much more. I certainly don't think I'm the first person to figure this stuff out, but thought this would be a good forum to share some of those things, too.
Even at 11 months, Connor's personality is really starting to show, and it's very different from his brother's. And I'm glad. Even though some of the things that "worked" with Michael don't seem to make any difference with Connor (like techniques to calm him down), I think it would be pretty disappointing if these boys were the same. Obviously their uniqueness will provide parenting challenges for us for the rest of our lives, but the positives in this situation far, far outweigh any difficulties it presents. We're dealing with two distinct individuals. And while I like discussing nature vs. nurture as much as any other subject, I'll leave that for another time.
Having unique personalities, skill sets, interests, frustrations, and more are a big part of what I'm enjoying and looking forward to as a parent. I don't want them to be the same. I want them to develop who they are, not be copies of each other ... or of me. I mean, as much as it will be cool if the three of us (or even four of us) share a common interest or two, that's really secondary to them growing as individuals. And I think that's the way God looks at us.
God not only knows we're going to be unique individuals, He created us to be that way. I'm so grateful that I'm not like anyone else, and you are grateful that no one else is like me. And because He created us to be individuals, I have to believe that He delights in our uniqueness. Certainly He wants to know us and have a relationship with us, just like I do with my boys. But He doesn't deal with us all the same way, He deals with us as the individuals He created us to be. He certainly has some consistent expectations of us, but also gives us the freedom to be unique. And I love that. God doesn't create people with distinct personalities, DNA, strengths and weaknesses, and fingerprints, then require us to all "get in line" and be identical. And as much as I appreciate my role models and mentors (ask me for a list sometime, I love to talk about them), God wants me to maximize who He made me to be, not become a carbon copy of them. And He made me to be a one-of-a-kind person who loves Him with my whole heart, just like I hope Michael and Connor will be.
So be who He made you, and realize that you make Him proud when you do.
Even at 11 months, Connor's personality is really starting to show, and it's very different from his brother's. And I'm glad. Even though some of the things that "worked" with Michael don't seem to make any difference with Connor (like techniques to calm him down), I think it would be pretty disappointing if these boys were the same. Obviously their uniqueness will provide parenting challenges for us for the rest of our lives, but the positives in this situation far, far outweigh any difficulties it presents. We're dealing with two distinct individuals. And while I like discussing nature vs. nurture as much as any other subject, I'll leave that for another time.
Having unique personalities, skill sets, interests, frustrations, and more are a big part of what I'm enjoying and looking forward to as a parent. I don't want them to be the same. I want them to develop who they are, not be copies of each other ... or of me. I mean, as much as it will be cool if the three of us (or even four of us) share a common interest or two, that's really secondary to them growing as individuals. And I think that's the way God looks at us.
God not only knows we're going to be unique individuals, He created us to be that way. I'm so grateful that I'm not like anyone else, and you are grateful that no one else is like me. And because He created us to be individuals, I have to believe that He delights in our uniqueness. Certainly He wants to know us and have a relationship with us, just like I do with my boys. But He doesn't deal with us all the same way, He deals with us as the individuals He created us to be. He certainly has some consistent expectations of us, but also gives us the freedom to be unique. And I love that. God doesn't create people with distinct personalities, DNA, strengths and weaknesses, and fingerprints, then require us to all "get in line" and be identical. And as much as I appreciate my role models and mentors (ask me for a list sometime, I love to talk about them), God wants me to maximize who He made me to be, not become a carbon copy of them. And He made me to be a one-of-a-kind person who loves Him with my whole heart, just like I hope Michael and Connor will be.
So be who He made you, and realize that you make Him proud when you do.
posted by Gabe at
8:04 AM
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