Learning about Them

Hello to anyone who is still popping in to read at "Mumma's Place".  In the two years of my blogging career I have fretted that I may be addicted to my blog and the reading of other blogs.  Well, this last month or so has shown me that I am not .  Truly life has been so jam packed that though I may have lots of good bloggy bits to share I do not have either the time or the energy to write any posts.  And as before mentioned,  computer turns have been rationed with me often being at night.  This is not my most productive time of day........and so, very little coming to the edit stage here.

Last week I mused about what I have been gleaning about myself through our recent  flood disaster  and more personal calamities.  This week I am pondering what I am learning about others.
I have long know that teenagers often tend to be selfish.  I am gratified to see the young adults of my family have moved through this stage and are taking on the responsibilities of grown up life.  It doesn't always happen you know.  I see many examples of people into their twenties and thirties and beyond never moving beyond the totally self centred, self promoting life style.  I am encouraged that the younger members around me, though still thinking primarily of themselves can and often do eventually choose the road which is of greater benefit to the household  (in simple things like TV viewing) and to their own greater good as well (in more intimate decisions such as church attendance and moral choices).

As a parent and particularly a home schooling parent, I have long embraced the principles of discipline and routine in the ordering of life and in the raising of children.  I have not always been good at this because I am by nature fairly relaxed.  I am however, seeing it so much more clearly in my grand children, whom though I love to assist with in every way possible, I do not have the responsibility for training.  Six weeks ago they arrived here in a very stressful and dramatic situation.  They have not returned to their flooded home since...... But the constant crying and fretfulness has disappeared, the restless nights of disturbed sleep and panic at being separated from mummy are things of the past.  Patience, routine and lots of love and reassurance has seen the return of my two sweet, good natured and mischievous little men. It has been a wonderful first hand opportunity to see good parenting take effect and earn results.

I am also learning, or perhaps re-learning, that people are not always what they seem.  Sometimes you meet really genuine folk.  Brothers and sisters in the Lord who love him and love his Word, who delight to fellowship and assist the saints and the community at large.  Who never expect anything in return but make you want to act in like manner and share that wonderful bond of Christian love. 
But sadly there are those, who like the Pharisees, make long, loud prayers and declarations on pious sounding subjects but whose hearts and actions reflect a judgemental and self righteous attitude ~ ah, rather like the selfish teenagers I mentioned above.

Life throws us many opportunities and many experiences.  We live and hopefully learn, to use more wisdom and discretion as we mature.  As I observe and process all that transpires around me I realise that I have so much further to go.  "Get wisdom! Get understanding!"