As a mom, I had decided early on that I wasn’t going to propagate the lie that you can do anything you set your mind to. While there are many things that you can do with determination and gumption but anything? Not likely. The fact is that I will never be a famous singer that is a timeless classic. The fact is that God just didn’t give me the gifts I would need to do that. Can God overcome that? Sure but he made me like I am and well he clearly liked me just as he made me or he would have made me different. So parents come with me. Let’s stop lying to our children. I would also like teachers, Sunday school workers, youth group leaders and Pastors to stop the lie with me.
My daughters are amazing. God made them so different from one another. I am pretty sure that they aren’t destined to be NFL superstars. How many woman NFL superstars do you see today? I am sure that at some point that may change but women in the NFL will more than likely be a kicker in the beginning. That being said, they were given gifts that God gave them. I tell my oldest often, that you need to find your gifts and operate in them. She is smart and can run pretty well. She also has quite a bit of artistic talent. So she has things going for her. The little one is clearly going to be the boss, she may one day rule the world. I would have never say that about the oldest. It just isn’t in her wheelhouse.
Now that we have hit the preteen years, I also have to deal with the envy of other peoples talents. I always tell her to celebrate when her friends are good at things. We don’t need to resent others for their gifts. God made them that way. I view it as my job to find her gifts and guide her in the best ways to use them. While I want her to try hard and learn that somethings will take hard work and dedication, I also want her to know that she has limits. That it is okay not to be good at everything she does.
While you may have a child that will be an NFL superstar or the next pop sensation, be happy to have a child that is operating in the gifts God has given them. We won’t all be famous but we will all make a difference in other people’s lives. So let your children know, there is no shame in being a next generation accountant, cook, nurse, mom, dad, auto mechanic, artist, singer, writer, bookkeeper, insurance broker or well anything that celebrates who they were made to be. Help your children be comfortable in the mold God gave them not the mold you have set in your mind for them!
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