I just had an experience of teaching my sons something that helped me to understand God's love for us even more....
I walked into my boy's bedroom and quickly they paused the video they were watching. I figured that the pause was to see what I wanted, but I picked up the tablet and unpaused the video. I was going to say "to my surprise," but I am not sure that I really was. When I proceeded to watch it, the boy on the video took the Lord's name in vain. My older son got immediately quiet and upset and kinda shrunk back from me. I asked him why he seemed bothered and he did not respond. I am sure that he was trying to process his feelings about it... (Do I agree with Mom? Why can't I watch it? He only says it once in a while or hardly ever?)
I proceeded to ask him questions, assisting him in coming up with why HE might choose not to want to partake of the show. I asked if he probably heard those things at school and other places and he confirmed that it was so. I mentioned to him that there is a distinct difference in Choosing to listen to those words and being Subject to other people's choices to use those words when you cannot escape it or get away from it.
In our home, we are practicing creating a SAFE HAVEN for our family from the world outside. Out there we can be subject to lots of things we may not enjoy or like or could even harm us, but at Home we can thankfully make a conscious choice.
How blessed we are to have the Gift of Agency. Do we have the right to take it away from other people? No. Is there still a consequence to rules or laws being broken? Yes. In other words, if someone chooses with their agency to speed, are they subject to the consequences of those actions? Are the laws there to just annoy people Or to attempt to keep them safe, freer from harm, and ultimately happier?
I gently reminded my sons of the Ten Commandments, general and basic guidelines for our Happiness. Can we trust the source of these guidelines? What would be the reason that they would be given? I Know that the Source, God, desires MY Ultimate and True Happiness MORE than I could ever imagine. Does He know about things that maybe I don't? So if I choose to follow His suggestions, could I be avoiding consequences that I may not even understand?
Parents also have guidelines for their children because they too want their kids' ultimate happiness and safety. Do parents know things their children don't? Yes, and by their counsel they often wish to help their children avoid unnecessary struggle, pain, and hardships.
We have so much to learn in living as a child AND being a parent. We learn deeper concepts about life and how perfectly our Heavenly Parents love us.
