Criticism

The human race does not take criticism well.  We do not like it when we made an error.  We want to lash out or blame someone else for the mistake.  Sometimes we just need to toughen up and take it like a man (so to speak).  Loving someone enough to let them know they have done something wrong is hard.  Keeping our mouth shut while being corrected is harder.  But what you do with the criticism is the really important part.  

When you are sixteen, you see what everyone else is doing and you can not help but do it yourself.  At sixteen, risk is something fun, not something to worry about.  At sixteen, listening to your parent harp about something is tedious and time consuming.  I think that sometimes it's not about what the kids think they know.  I think it is what we, as a society have done to lead and be examples to them.  These kids are learning a new skill.  They see other people driving around, for a lot longer, and partly they think, everyone does it like that or they are just old and set in their ways.  No one cares or gets caught doing that.  This is true.  I have found myself saying, the law says this, but everyone breaks that law.  How sad of a tale on us. 


God corrects us no matter the sin and no matter our age.  In his eyes, there is not gray area.  We need to learn to take correction with understanding, grace, and love.  Pouting, hurt feelings, and backlashing are not to be in the equation.  No matter what, God loves us and wants us to be our best.  When I let my kids know they have done wrong, I make sure they are listening and that they understand why what they did was a bad choice.  God does the same thing.  sometimes we listen, sometimes we don't.  Sometimes we forget that Jesus was human too.  Remember, Jesus went through what we are going through.  He knows our needs, our frailties and he understands how easy it is to get frustrated or turned around going the wrong way.  I pray that we will take this verse to heart.   

Job 37:12-13
¹²"It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
         That it may do whatever He commands it
         On the face of the inhabited earth.
    ¹³"Whether for correction, or for His world,
         Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.