Partners in Parenting

“Instant Gratification!”

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”  Romans 8:25  Paul certainly didn’t write this in 2012;  or anytime in our recent past for that matter.  We can pretty much get what we want when we want it, and we can generally receive it very quickly.  Last week, one of my children wanted something from a local store.  I said we could go to the store the next time we were out to look at the item.  This child of mine decided it would be wise to look the item up from that local store online.  WOW, a deal of 15% off with no shipping costs.  What could be better, right!!  Then I believe the thinking went like this:  OK, dad already said he would take me to the store, but he didn’t say I couldn’t place an online order.  He’s not real wild about that stuff ---  Mom just got home.  She doesn’t know about the conversation with dad.  Mom likes good deals shopping while dad could care less.  I think mom will let me place the online order.  Here I go:  Ask, a little convincing, reminder that mom wouldn’t have to find time to take me to the store…BINGO!  I got the green light to order. Mom loves me so much!  A few clicks later, and the items was ordered.  My child felt a real sense of ownership even though the item hadn’t arrived.  We had to deal with the less than stellar communication in this situation, but we also had to help our child understand about patience and waiting in life.  Well, it sure helped drive that lesson home when the order our child placed was WAY too big.  It wouldn’t fit me or any other person I know.  I don’t think that would have happened had we just gone to the local store!!

As a parent, I was reminded of the constant desire to have things now.  Not just my kids’ instant gratification desires, but I was reminded of my own.  I also considered the reality that our salvation as Christians is kind of like an online order.  It is ours.  We own it.  It just hasn’t arrived yet.  That’s what Paul was talking about in Romans 8:25.  We hope for life with Jesus in heaven, but it isn’t here yet since we are alive on earth.  We own it as Christians, but it hasn’t arrived yet!

Family Discussion Points!

Discuss why waiting is so hard!  Ask yourself:  Am I good at waiting?

Share stories of having to wait for something you really wanted.

Discuss waiting for life in heaven and what we should be doing now on earth.