Image by mtsofan via Flickr
My mum likes to tell the story of when I was 2 1/2 years old. Apparently I walked up to this gentleman in the church and promptly kicked him in the shins. I didn’t like him.one.bit. The man insisted to my mother that she make me apologize right then and there. She had to persuade my fanny to make that apology but I did finally say I was sorry. {But we all know I wasn’t, right?}
Fast forward 36 years and I still want to kick people in the shins. The only difference is now I’m supposed to be old enough to know better. Oh, to be that child that acts on their impulses! A part of me thinks if a few more adults were kicked in the shin they might be more particular about the words that come out of their mouths.
But then I see the boys I’m trying to train up to be wonderful, caring men. I hope I’m teaching them to know when to kick and when to give out grace.
Ah, young grasshopper…the teacher becomes the student…
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Love it! I can so see you giving that kick too!
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oh, if I had a penny for every time I’ve wanted to do some swift shin-kicking. But recognizing my own desperate need for grace has helped me be able to extend it in circumstances like that. Most of the time, anyway.
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oooooh some people really do deserve a kick in the shins! But you’re right, more often than not, what they really need is grace. A good reminder to my somewhat hot-headed self. Thanks!
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I love your honesty! You are cracking me up right now.
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I love this story. I wish we lived in the same town because I am always dying to know the back story to some of your posts. (Remember the red rubber ball?? I still don’t know what yours is?) Guess it’s good to keep ‘em guessing! I really enjoy your style of writing, too!
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Jenny Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 11:49 am
I haven’t really finished my thoughts on my passion…I’m working on a post but it’s got me really evaluating a few things and I want that worked out before I hit ‘Publish’. KWIM?
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Wow. You kicked, I mean, hit it right on the head, didn’t you?
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You made me laugh! Hilarious! I can’t count the times I’ve gritted my teeth at someone at church, but I never put it in those terms. Hilarious!
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