Today’s reading is Romans 1:1-2:29.

I feel like I’ve been kicked in the teeth by today’s reading. Paul said, “You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?” (Romans 2:21). In the previous verse he talked about how some want to be seen as teachers of children. 

I guess today gets to be confession time. I’ve made a realization. Over the past years I’ve been trying to teach my children how to get along. I’m always stopping them from yelling at each other, being sarcastic with each other, picking at each other. I rebuke them for making demands, instead of asking nicely. I discipline them for acting like they don’t want the others around or acting like their friends are better than their siblings.

I finally figured out where all that came from. I wish I could say, “Their mother.” Regrettably, that isn’t the case. Or if she’s involved in it too, that is for their mother to confess on her own. The truth of the matter is, they have seen all those things in me. They have heard me talk to them in those ways when I’m angry. I justify it with, “I’m the father, I’m supposed to be like this.” But the reality is these attitudes aren’t healthy in any relationship whatsoever. They have heard me talk like this to their mother. That is really sad. 

How can I do that? It’s easy. I can spend most of my time thinking my job is to teach everyone else. My job is to teach you. My job is to teach my kids. My job is to teach my wife. When I spend most of my time thinking my job is to teach everyone else, I can ignore me and think I’m doing pretty well. What I need to remember is that first and foremost my job is not to teach you. My job is to teach me.

So, here goes. “Edwin, quit yelling so much. Ask, don’t demand. Be pleasant. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Stop being sarcastic and making fun of people.” I hope I can learn my lesson.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?