“Independence vs. Dependence!”
As you consider your
children, which attribute is better?
Independence or dependence?
Hmm? Well, if you have a newborn that
isn’t sleeping through the night because they need to be fed, you probably
favor a little independence. However, if
your child is continually sneaking off to be alone, watch TV, play video games,
etc., you probably favor dependence a bit.
Some children are “wired” for dependence while others for
independence. So which is better?
Actually, I think they both
have their place. Finding the right
balance is the key. All ages of development
(even into adulthood) require dependence on others. After all, when is the last time one of your
children bought their own shoes? No,
they depend on us parents for food, clothing, home, etc. All ages of development (even into adulthood)
require independence too. After all,
when is the last time a parent took a math test for a student? No, a student must come to school and take
his test without his parents.
I was reminded of this fine
balance this past weekend. My neighbor
is changing his landscape a bit. He was
cutting down some small trees, but he left one.
I asked him why he left it there, and he let me know there was a robin
with a nest in that tree. He showed me
the next, and I found three baby robins with about five feathers each. Otherwise, they just had skin on them. Amazing!
They were the epitome of dependent.
Depending on mom for everything.
The birds will gain independence as they get older, but there will still
be a balance to their life.
Matthew writes about the
importance of being dependent as a child of God. I think he clearly sees where that balance is
important: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 The birds are dependent on God for their
daily living. We should be too. He cares that much about us.
Family Discussion Points!
Look around your yard for
bird’s nests. See if you can find any babies,
but don’t mess up their nests at all.
Talk about independence and
dependence. Who is more of one or the
other in your family?
How does dependence on God
change your life? Is it changed for the
better or worse?
