Have any of you felt the need to fight a little harder for our kids while in quarantine?
Have you asked yours, “How much more can they take away from my kid?” Then you aren’t alone. I have shed many a tear when having to dealing with school counselors and teachers and all the changes for my son and his schooling. Sometimes I feel like those movies where there is a devil on one side and an angel on the other. The devil side gets so angry at how things keep changing things for my son’s school. My saying for this is, “It’s like they want him to learn this dance, but when he learns it, then they change the dance on him.” I want to lash out and tell them to stop doing this to him. His physical and mental health is way more important and he can’t take the change one more time. My momma bear wants to come out strong and loud. Then the angel side comes out and I remember that we are called to love like Jesus (John 13:34) and give grace because God gives us more grace then we deserve (Matthew 5:7).
So which way is the way is the way to handle these situations? To be honest, I feel like it’s actually somewhere in the middle. I have always loved the thought of being called to meekness. Often when we think of meekness, we think of some little housewife being run over by her overbearing husband and kids. Or maybe it’s a man at work who is being yelled at by his boss and he is cowering in fear.
Actually, that isn’t what meekness is at all. One definition of meekness is power under control. Jordan Peterson a University of Toronto Professor of Psychology says this, “It means the meek have power, but they keep it under control and don’t abuse it by being harsh.” This definition has changed so much for me. Meekness isn’t getting run over and taken advantage us, it means that I still have power, but I don’t act out in anger and frustration.
So, during these times of our kids schedules constantly changing, losing services, not being at school in person or for less time, remember one thing. It’s ok to be an advocate for your child but do it with meekness. Fight for your child but do it with love and grace. You’ll be amazed at what happens when you do.
by Amy Kendall
