Sin
What lucid conversations we used to have as pioneering h.s. families about how 'teenage rebellion' was brought on by virtue of the expectation that it would occur. How differently OUR children were going to behave, what a help they were going to be in the home and in the kingdom. the trouble with being a pioneer is that no-one has been there before and we have to use our imaginations. When things fall out differently than what we expected we percieve it as failure - even if our teens are (notwithstanding their shortcomings) more coherant, logical and presentable than their peers.
We're all sinners. I guess that when I started out homeschooling I had hoped to make sin a little less prevalent in my children by training them to think about others ahead of themselves. When, this morning, one of my children had twice sat down at his computer and I had asked him whether he had done his jobs I began to reflect on the tendancy of teenagers (however hard you try to ignore the fact out of existence) to think that anything THEY want to do (for money or personal pleasure) is a joy and anything NOT for them is 'for you' and likely NOT to be done out of joy. Everyone wants to change the world but no-one wants to help mum with the hoovering.... Anyway, while I was hoovering (once the son under discussion had gone outside to work and the jobs were not done in anything more than a minimalist manner, if at all) there I was hoovering away and you know what I thought (shock, horror!) 'I'm just doing 'x's' job'. I thought it with the right attitude,of course!. Following the thought a bit further I realised that I had better know that I was doing it 'for God' - not 'for x'.
Now, here's the key to EVERYONE doing what they have been appointed to do, thoroughly and with a cheerful attitude. A couple of weeks ago I motivated this same child by pointing out that the reward for faithfulness is more responsibility and that by being faithful NOW you are extending the range of your potential usefulness for the future. I'm a woman, I think things ought only to be said once, could be that males are NOT like that but then I'm determined not to 'nag' - or even give anyone the smallest bit of fuel for such an accusation. I guess I could print it off....
Of course other people can't see into your heart (and attempts to 'justify' your percieved 'attitude' to others is futile) so when one is rushing round like a whirling dervish trying to do 'everything' which needs to be accomplished (ones own as well as other people's neglected duties) those who do nothing to clearing the workload may look on and accuse you of the 'wrong attitude' - however, the Lord looks on the heart. so, perhaps, just as a toddler can't help being childish in a way peculiar to his age, a teenager is at the mercy of his years and ought to be excused? Fact is, we're all teenagers at heart and until the Lord grows us up in Him we will always be inclined to be overwhelmed at the workload standing before us but God is Gracious and will give enough hours in the day and strength to conquer it all. And it is ALL for HIM and for His Glory. Back to the hoovering.....