But...I'm Just a Victim!
Our 9-year-old was using the school principal's cell phone when I pulled up to get him. I had absent-mindedly gone to pick up the 13 year-old first, leaving the 9-year-old to wait at school for an extra 15 minutes. Oops.
When he got in the car I apologized for forgetting the route order and for frightening him. He said he wasn't frightened, then he said, "that's one of the things I like about you. You take responsibility for your mistakes. I love you." He repeated that sentiment two more times while the 13 year-old was trying to concoct a story to tell Mom. She has been conditioned to rely on such tales. More's the pity.
Our 9 year-old knows what Adam and Eve did not. Character requires taking responsibility for our actions. It is true that the story has Eve presenting the fruit. She didn't force Adam to buy it, though. Whatever enticements she may have offered, he made the choice. The same goes for Eve. Whatever the Snake said... whatever slick sales pitch he uttered... she made the choice. They both bore the consequences, too.
Adam and Eve made a choice to strain their relationship with God. The Snake didn't do it to them. They did it to themselves. I wonder how God would have reacted if they'd just admitted their misdeed and asked for forgiveness. God's at least as loving as my father was and he always meted out softer penalties when I took responsibility for what I'd done. Just a thought....
Take responsibility for your actions. It'll confuse almost everyone!
Blessings,
/jmt
Created about 2 years ago
