Just Keepin’ Her Humble

God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
Matthew 5:5 (New Living Translation)

As most everybody who reads this knows, being a parent is hard work. We’re responsible for so much. There are the basics like feeding, clothing, safety, health, etc. That’s the easy part. The hard part is building character. I mean, we’re going to build some kind of character regardless. The challenge is what type of character.

Tonight I did my best to instill a humble spirit in my daughter. She sang harmony in the band at church tonight and rock star status can have a detrimental effect on one’s ego. Not only that, but her stage presence was suffering. So I stood in the back with two friends, Stacey and Darlene, and danced for a reaction. I would say I was getting my praise on, but I don’t think my movements screamed “Moved by the Spirit” in any form or fashion. What the three of us accomplished was getting her to crack up so much that she couldn’t even sing. Which leaves her with a humble spirit. Or humiliated spirit. Is there a difference?

To add insult to injury to the lesson, Katie and I were both wearing jeans and a green t-shirt. Not on purpose, either. But when a high schooler is dressed like her mommy – well, not so cool.

Yea, how didst thy delight in thine offspring’s mortification?
With great leaping and joy, sayeth Jenster.

From the Book of Jenster

9 Comments

  1. Lynilu on July 6, 2009 at 8:14 am

    I do believe you are as ornery as I am, Jennifer!!

  2. Jenster on July 6, 2009 at 8:20 am

    I take that as a compliment!! :o) It is a skill, afterall.

  3. Carpoolqueen on July 6, 2009 at 10:14 am

    HA! I'm already mortifying them without leaving the house. Can't wait for the teenage years.

  4. beans on July 6, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    hehe-that's funny and I can TOTALLY see you guys doing it too!

  5. Gretchen on July 7, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    I lurve this in so many ways. And, though my dtr's character development is only at age 11, I'm still quite embarrassing, and losing intelligence, as far as she's concerned, by the minute. By the time she's 20, I daresay, I'll no longer be able to speak. ;)She's a great kid, but I think wonder years is a misnomer. At least for the parents.Lurveth iteth wheneth youeth spouteth Jenspeaketh.

  6. Monnik on July 8, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Ha! Dressing like your kid is a big no-no. My daughter (who looks an awful lot like me) recently cut her long locks into an above the shoulder, sassy 'do. I really want to get the same haircut but I know she'd kill me. 🙂

  7. Kris on July 8, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    too funny, that is great 😀 Sounds like stuff my mom did to me when i was younger and i survived.

  8. Cheryl Wray on July 20, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    I love it!! 🙂

  9. Gretchen on January 8, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    Oh…I’d never do that. 🙂 Lurve.

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