If I only knew then what I know now. Have you ever heard that? Have you ever said that?
As the years speed past me, I tend to think about that a lot. If I knew how things would turn out I would have made different choices. But I can’t now. We can’t undo what’s done.
So what can we do? We can only try to help those that come after us not make the same mistakes. In theory, that should be fairly easy, right? All you need to do is tell your children how to do things right and they will listen.
There is only one thing wrong with that theory. Did you listen to your parents when they tried to teach you something? Or like me, did you know everything already?
Have you noticed as you got older your parents got smarter? Why do you think that is? Maybe because they already made the same mistakes. I know that’s what happened to me, I have realized my parents were smarter than I thought,
Now that I have my own children (and grandchildren) I am seeing the patterns repeat themselves. Take my son, for instance, every once in a while he will do or say something and I will see myself. That makes me proud. Even my daughter has become a great mother and that makes me feel so good.
I think the best thing is also seeing they have learned from the mistakes I have made and learned from them.
But now I have somewhat of a dilemma. How do I pass these things on to my grandchildren? Will they be the same as I was, smarter than everyone, knowing everything and not taking any advice?
I feel like I need to teach them. But that begs the question: will they listen? Are they already? I never thought my kids were listening but both have proved they were. Do I agree with everything they do? No. But I also see that they turned out alright in spite of me. There were times when I was worried, that’s for sure, but so far things are going well.
I see what my children have become and I am so proud and happy. God has certainly blessed me.
