Presumptuous?
Presumptuous?
Was doing some thinking on Pastor B's sermon yesterday. Though it was very much geared to a Father's Day message, "The heart of disconnection", yet there were some points I could extract and ponder deeper from his message, and I shall write on one of it for now ...
Pastor B mentioned that many times as parents or even adults, our approach to children/students or generally those that are younger that are under our care (hmm... come to think of it, I think it applies generally across the board to anyone we come into contact with ... read on and you'll understand why I say this) is an attitude of presumption. Whenever children comes to parents and speak to them, "Dad, I saw this gadget that is very fascinating ..." and before the person finishes his or her statement, the adults immediately cut interrupts, "How many times must I tell you not to always go for what is the latest fad ..." (or statements similar to this). I guess most of us are guilty of jumping to conclusions, or being presumptuous, before someone finishes their statement in their conversations with us - and that's why I believe this applies not only between adult and children, but could happen between any human being.
What's the reason for us being presumptuous? Perhaps it's because we don't like to be cornered (and being pressed for an answer that we can't or are not ready to give there and then??) ... perhaps it's because of a bad experience with someone we were speaking with ... perhaps it's because we are too impatient to hear what someone has to say, and we can't "help" but complete their statements for them ... perhaps it's because we "stereotyped" the person we are speaking with, or had a previously formed perception about them. Being presumptuous about someone or something generates hurts and distrust, doesn't it?
Interestingly, Pastor B mentioned as he "completes" his example (not his exact words but similar meaning to make the point) ... "why are you still the same as you were few years ago, asking for this and that? Why can't you grow up?" the adult to the child. And the child's response (perhaps mumbling to himself or herself), "I've grown up and I'm different. I merely want to have a conversation with you about this latest gadget, not that I'm asking you for it. Dad, you haven't "grown" over these years - and you still read me the same ..."
I'm personally guilty about being presumptuous towards some people - in fact, quite instantly when the first words come out from their mouth, I would have formed perceptions in my mind about what they are going to say next, and before they finish their statement, I'll be filled with much irritation and impatience. Something that I really have to change. And I'm reminded that our good Lord is not like us - not a time at all being presumptuous. Can we ever imagine if God is like us, always completing our statements for us before we finishes, or reacting with irritation at us, where else could we ever find the comfort and love we need? Thank God He's always patient with us, and no matter how many times we made the same mistakes over, He has never "stereotyped" us nor view us with tinted glasses. His love endures forever.
Isaiah 49:15-16 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."
As we relate to people around us, let's stop being presumptuous about them and learn the attitude of patience and love from the Lord who caused the rain and the sun to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous alike.
Was doing some thinking on Pastor B's sermon yesterday. Though it was very much geared to a Father's Day message, "The heart of disconnection", yet there were some points I could extract and ponder deeper from his message, and I shall write on one of it for now ...
Pastor B mentioned that many times as parents or even adults, our approach to children/students or generally those that are younger that are under our care (hmm... come to think of it, I think it applies generally across the board to anyone we come into contact with ... read on and you'll understand why I say this) is an attitude of presumption. Whenever children comes to parents and speak to them, "Dad, I saw this gadget that is very fascinating ..." and before the person finishes his or her statement, the adults immediately cut interrupts, "How many times must I tell you not to always go for what is the latest fad ..." (or statements similar to this). I guess most of us are guilty of jumping to conclusions, or being presumptuous, before someone finishes their statement in their conversations with us - and that's why I believe this applies not only between adult and children, but could happen between any human being.
What's the reason for us being presumptuous? Perhaps it's because we don't like to be cornered (and being pressed for an answer that we can't or are not ready to give there and then??) ... perhaps it's because of a bad experience with someone we were speaking with ... perhaps it's because we are too impatient to hear what someone has to say, and we can't "help" but complete their statements for them ... perhaps it's because we "stereotyped" the person we are speaking with, or had a previously formed perception about them. Being presumptuous about someone or something generates hurts and distrust, doesn't it?
Interestingly, Pastor B mentioned as he "completes" his example (not his exact words but similar meaning to make the point) ... "why are you still the same as you were few years ago, asking for this and that? Why can't you grow up?" the adult to the child. And the child's response (perhaps mumbling to himself or herself), "I've grown up and I'm different. I merely want to have a conversation with you about this latest gadget, not that I'm asking you for it. Dad, you haven't "grown" over these years - and you still read me the same ..."
I'm personally guilty about being presumptuous towards some people - in fact, quite instantly when the first words come out from their mouth, I would have formed perceptions in my mind about what they are going to say next, and before they finish their statement, I'll be filled with much irritation and impatience. Something that I really have to change. And I'm reminded that our good Lord is not like us - not a time at all being presumptuous. Can we ever imagine if God is like us, always completing our statements for us before we finishes, or reacting with irritation at us, where else could we ever find the comfort and love we need? Thank God He's always patient with us, and no matter how many times we made the same mistakes over, He has never "stereotyped" us nor view us with tinted glasses. His love endures forever.
Isaiah 49:15-16 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."
As we relate to people around us, let's stop being presumptuous about them and learn the attitude of patience and love from the Lord who caused the rain and the sun to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous alike.
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