But You’re Daddy, You Can Do Anything!

Kids are such a wonderful blessing, as any parent or grandparent can attest to.  I am fortunate that I am blessed with three wonderful children, who delight me to no end.

They recently asked me to do something for them.  I told them that I wish I could, but that it is simply not possible.

The four-year-old then said, “But you’re Daddy, you can do anything!”  Despite the vote of confidence from my little one, I regret to inform the readers of this blog that I am merely a mortal man.

Many children, especially young ones, believe in the unlimited ability of parents to provide things with mysterious or magical means of production.  I had to smile when my child said this to me, even as I burst her bubble of expectations.

It is part of growing up that we learn to do things for ourselves, while also learning what our own personal limitations are.  Someone once said, “You don’t know who you really are, until you have tried your hardest at something, and still failed.”

There is a grain of truth in that statement, as experiences help to shape our character.  I know what my limitations are, and have opinions about what the limitations of government should be.

It is not a mature life view to expect someone to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and spending money to us for our entire lives.  It is part of the process of growing up.  As the bickering over deficit spending continues in Washington D.C., I am reminded of how America has some growing up of its own to do.

It is not healthy to have people look to Uncle Sam or the politicians in Olympia, and say, “but you’re Daddy, you can do anything!”

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• Inspire Your Kids To Live Simply (lls70.wordpress.com)
• When They Call Me Daddy! (relevantchristian.wordpress.com)