My Past Comes Back to Haunt Me

This past weekend we had the wonderful pleasure to host my cousin (Joanna) and her boyfriend (Josh) for a few days. Often, when we have friends without kids over for a visit I have a tendency to forget that I still do. Now I don't lose them or anything (though I wouldn't put it past me), but if they are being quiet I simply forget that they are always listening. Joanna and I were reminiscing about one of my favorite places in the world, Silver Dollar City. We talked about our favorite rides, sights and smells. We also talked about our Fire-in-the-Hole ride record. (We rode it 24 times without getting off) Then, without thinking, I started talking about how when we were younger we would keep our belts loose so that after the ride started we could climb out of our seats and hop from car to car while the ride was going. The entire ride is in the dark so the technicians never saw a thing. The conversation continued and I never thought about it again. Charis, though, evidently thought about quite a bit. The next day we had a very long conversation about it. Here is a brief snippet.

Charis: Mom, how old were you when you got out of your seat on the roller coaster?

Me: Old enough to know better. (15 or 16)

Charis: So you didn't think it was wrong, or you did?

Me: I knew it was wrong.

Charis: Then why did you do it?

Me: Sometimes people do things even though they know they are wrong.

Charis: Did your mom know?

Me: Nope.

Charis: Did the workers know?

Me: No, they didn't know either.

Charis: But Jesus knew?

Me: Yes, He did.

Charis: So you did it even though you knew it was wrong and Jesus was watching?

Me: (gulp) yes.

Charis: You really should ask Him to forgive you.

Me: You're right I think I will.

Charis: Mom, one more thing, can I do that next time I go?

Me: NO!!!

You never know when or where that next little dose of humility is going to come from, but it always seems a little harder to swallow when it comes from your kids. I am supposed to be the one with all the answers, guiding them through the many mountains and valleys of life, perfectly practicing what I preach. Pardon me while I wipe the tears of laughter out of my eyes. I am pretty sure that when God hears conversations like this He has to be smiling. Using the simple things (one's) to confound the wise (or at least those that think they are wise). And those that should remember the children are always listening.