No more training wheels for Twin A.! Last weekend Llama Papa patiently worked with the noisy boys and their two-wheeler bikes. He ran beside them, declared himself too old for it all, but kept going anyway. Twin A. fell and got up; fell and got up; then took off and hasn’t looked back since. Twin B. still needs some practice.
One of the uniquely difficult aspects of raising twins (once you get past the tandem feedings and gazillions of diapers) is helping each of them to form their own identity apart from their twin. We are blessed with boys who are best friends, and while I want to nurture the special bond they share, I am also aware of their innate differences. I want to help each of them grow to their full potential and find God’s purposes for their lives. We work hard to not compare them to eachother, but as they get older, that’s not enough. They compare themselves to eachother, which makes it difficult to encourage one without discouraging the other. It’s a constant balancing act.
Twin B. doesn’t want to keep practicing on two wheels. He wants to give up. He’s afraid of falling. He feels dumb fumbling along next to his brother, who is zooming around our court effortlessly.
As I reflected on this today, the Parable of the Talents came to mind (Matthew 25:14-30). In the story, the master gives out different sums of money to his servants, and expects them each to use what they’ve been given, whether the gift was small or large. And his response to the servants at the end of the story tells me that the point is not really what they produced, it’s that they tried at all. The servant that was held back by fear was chastised—fear is no excuse.
As I watch Twin B. and his struggle to ride a bike, I think of my own struggle to use the gifts God has given me. Often I am held back by fear or a sense of inadequacy. I compare myself to the people around me and feel like giving up. And yet just as I know Twin B. will fall and struggle as he learns to ride his bike, my Heavenly Father is well aware of my weaknesses and struggles. He knows that as I venture out into new territory, using the gifts He’s given me, I’ll make mistakes. I’ll feel dumb. But I believe He is pleased with our efforts. He wants to teach us. He’s delighted with the unique way He made each of us, even me, and as we take risks in spite of our fears, He runs alongside of us, cheering us on.
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8 comments:
What a great perspective on fear. We learn so much about the heart of God by loving and raising our children.
Thanks for sharing, it really moved me.
Wow. Thanks for this. SO apropos to my life right now.
LM, You're right. And parents can so much help their children in this according to the bent each has.
I tagged you over at my blog.
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wonderful perspective, LM. That parable is such an encouragement - God gives to each "according to his ability," (abilities He knows perfectly) :)
I'm curious about how (if) you encourage Twin B through your insight?
Love the reflections..
I learn more about God from my kids than any other place...
I hope they learn as much from me.
Thanks for sharing.
mamatoo -- Great question. We've talked a lot about how God makes us each different, and we all learn things at our own pace. This weekend, I've really tried to celebrate HIS accomplishments -- doing his chores without being asked, doing the monkey bars by himself, being a responsible big brother to baby b., helping me in the kitchen.
I've shared that God wants us to do our best, even when we're afraid, and shared some stories about times that I've been afraid. He listened, but doesn't really apply it to the bike situation.
For now, the training wheels are back on and that's okay. We'll try again another time.
family of 5 -- thanks for stopping by!
And thanks, all, for your comments and reflections.
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