Same Page
When I was a kid and I wanted to go skating on Friday night I always started by asking my mom if I could go. She always said, “Ask your father.” So I would go to my dad and say, “Dad can I go skating mom said it was okay?” Its amazing how creative we become when we want something. If you are raising children you must be vigilant about staying on the same page with your spouse. If you are leading an organization you must remain on the same page with the other leaders. By nature when people want something they will try to get it done by whatever means possible. Even if it requires trying to go over someone’s head. We have a Christian school and some of our older students were asking me if it was okay to use the youth room during lunch break while the smaller children went to the play ground. I told them I didn’t mind but it wasn’t my call it was up to the principal. One student immediately came back with “But your the pastor!” What an inventive and sharp little mind. She played to my ego. I have to admit I wanted to make it happen for them. I mean after all I want the students to accept me and think I’m cool. Fortunately, I have some years of experience behind me and I know that the wrong decision in this situation would produce a negative effect on the strength and health of our school. So I t0ld them that it was not my call and the principal would have to approve the use of the room. I am confident that they will be vigilant in their lobbying of the principal to achieve this. So I immediately found our principal and let her know what happened and what I approved. I feel good because we are on the “Same Page.” In this situation Harrah Church remains strong and healthy because we are working together. As the ministry of Harrah Church continues to grow I find that I have to be very careful with what I say around others. What I fail to think about always comes back to bite me. How are you staying on the same page as a parent or leader?
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, (James 1:19)
As a parent I have had my kids come to me and ask the same thing. My kids know who to go to when they want certain things though. What they don’t know if my wife and I discuss those on the side. For example, my daughter will always come to my wife if she wants someone to spend the night, or vice versa. Ninety-five percent of the time she will call me or talk to me about how we feel about it, and then make our decision. Now my oldest son will come to me when he wants a new toy, because he knows I like toys and I am more prone to say yes, than my wife. My youngest son and daughter are more likely to go to mom if they want candy or a cookie.
I have seen my youngest son talk to his little sister and tell her to go ask Mom or Dad for a cookie or some candy, this way they can share it. For some reason he believes that we will more likely give the youngest girl the candy before the boy. Kids between the ages of two and a half years to six years are the most fun, because you get to see all their little quirks, decision making and how they learn from it. My wife and I talk about how they try and work their little plans all the time, and we just back and laugh. Kids are the GREATEST!!!
I think I know who that girl was…. Lol,, I like your blog and agree with you on this. We are working through it and luckily there giving us some privleges and easying up on the strict rules. Ill keep reading your blogs everyday, Thanks! Lindsey:)