Is stepping across the line okay?

8/20/2018

We ended last week talking about mentors and mentees. Perhaps because that was on my mind, I payed greater attention to the children in my life and what I was modeling in front of them. The weekend lead me to community fairs, church food festivals, and our own church services, to name a few. With each new location came new opportunities.

Is stepping across the line okay if your under three feet tall? I thought so. Then, I noticed because I let the littlest of the family step across the line, all her brothers wanted to as well. The oldest one pushed the plate by putting the bottom of his cowboy boot on the back line, while moving as close to the table stacked with cans he was to knock over. Was I helping? Or teaching them rules don't matter? Rules only matter when you are under three feet tall? There are occasions when it is okay to break rules? Then who decides? What do you think?

2 Timothy 2:5 (LEB) "And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."

So, was I teaching these children or doing them harm? Was my "Mercy" motive overplaying my example I was to be teaching? I knew they never had a chance the way the game was set up. Fairs are supposed to be fun for children, not completion for adults. If I let them play and have fun, then learn to allow others to do the same, right? I can't call it yet on this one. I need some wise counsel.

Action Step: Please leave a reply to me about what you think, about giving kids and edge, even if it is breaking the rules? Sure, I should have made the rules different for different ages, but sometimes we are not in charge of the rules? Was there a lesson I was to learn? Did I miss something? What would have been a better model?

In life what do we do when rules don't seem to be fair? What is the Christian thing to do?

2 Comments

Brenda Waller

8/20/2018 08:51:30 am

This is a tough one. In life we are not always ready for everygame. We have to prepare and grow into it. Maybe redirecting the little one to a game that would have been more appropriate for her age and skill set could have set her up for success . But then again, teaching the older siblings that with age and ability comes greater expectation and responsibility. I believe God looks at each one if his children and understands where we are and sets us up for a win and then grows us into greater task and responsibility as we can handle it. Does that mean always following the rules? I'm not sure. Rules are a defining safety net. Let's face it. If the rules could have been followed all the time, there would have been no purpose for Christ death on the cross .God knew we couldn't live up to the rules in our current state, we were not capable, Sin had dimentioned our ability in that area. Jesus made it possible again. He provided that extra step we needed to reach the mark. I think you did that for this little one.

Ann Marie Golato

8/21/2018 09:23:51 am

I agree with Brenda, perhaps a game more age appropriate would have been in order. A child that receives a prize for something truly not earned doesn't send the right message, much like a participation trophy.

If we take God's perspective on rules (law, Mosaic or not), He expects them to be obeyed, even when the rules don't seem fair. When He said to worship Him and Him alone or to take and conquer, there were consequences for the Israelites when they did not. His prophets spoke for Him and told them of the events to come because of their disobedience. At times, the Israelites begged for mercy, so God changed His mind about the consequences. He may have not responded right away, but not once did God not take notice of their wrong actions.

God waits to see if we will turn away from our misguided ways. Sometimes He will even send others to intervene so we don't follow through. That's where bystanders come in. As parents, grandparents, etc., we have the same choice: to intervene or to wait. But, if we wait, shouldn't there be consequences when rules are broken, just as God had?

God gave us a heart that is soft and loving. We don't want to punish as Moses was punished. Perhaps a loving tap from the "shepherd’s staff" is all that is needed to keep the "sheep" on the right path before they go astray: verbal acknowledgement of the inappropriate act in progress, then guidance towards the correct expected action. The one corrected might not "win," but can then be applauded for his gallant effort. That's a win in it's self.

The view of a loving heart is maintained and a lesson is learned... by the wrong doer and those that observe all that happened. One lesson, many benefits, regardless of the age.

Is stepping across the line okay?

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