Your 2nd grade teacher lied to you.
The moment you heard, “you could grow up to be President of the United States,” it was over.
Let’s face it, we Americans are optimists. At the heart of American society, we believe in the power and potential to change. So this new book caught my attention: You Can’t Be President: The Outrageous Barriers to Democracy in America. Is it true? We’re not capable of doing anything we set our mind and heart to?
Your chances of becoming President are 10 million to 1. You’re more likely to die from slipping in the shower (2,232 to 1). But ask a mom to tell their kids it’s near impossible for them to live in the White House, and they’ll look at you funny- no one wants to squelch their son or daughter.
So- what’s a parent to do? Check your camera angle.
God gives different talents to different people according to His plan. Our job is to ask Him what His plan is for us- and that He leads us.
Did your 2nd grade teacher lie to you? Not really.
She just needed to make sure her point of focus was on target.
I need to do likewise.
Dave St. John
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Nice post Dave. I wonder if saying that “you can be president” kind of sells short other jobs like plumbers. Even then it is not enough to just be “Joe the plumber”.. you have to “Joe the Plumber, Inc.” to be successful.. we have some strange ideas about what success looks like and, sadly, we often foist those ideas on our kids.
Nice post Dave. I wonder if saying that “you can be president” kind of sells short other jobs like plumbers. Even then it is not enough to just be “Joe the plumber”.. you have to “Joe the Plumber, Inc.” to be successful.. we have some strange ideas about what success looks like and, sadly, we often foist those ideas on our kids.
You are so right we need to pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in how to best encourage our kids. Ask Him to reveal their strengths and talents that we can encourage them in that.
None of my kids may be President, but the way my kids are going I see a future personal organizer, a stuntman, and musician. If my son finds a different profession I would be so very happy!
Hey Eric said that I need to ask you about a special urinal you ran across in Kentucky. That sounds like it would make for an interesting blog post!
You are so right we need to pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in how to best encourage our kids. Ask Him to reveal their strengths and talents that we can encourage them in that.
None of my kids may be President, but the way my kids are going I see a future personal organizer, a stuntman, and musician. If my son finds a different profession I would be so very happy!
Hey Eric said that I need to ask you about a special urinal you ran across in Kentucky. That sounds like it would make for an interesting blog post!
Thanks Dave.
Well, maybe not “anything….” but I am convinced that by force of will, energy, and hard work that “in the flesh” people can do lots of things they set their mind to, for good or evil.
That’s why it’s so important to check our priorities and to seek God’s will daily. Jesus said, “…apart from me you can do nothing…” (John 15:5). Keep drawing our strength from the vine.
Thanks Dave.
Well, maybe not “anything….” but I am convinced that by force of will, energy, and hard work that “in the flesh” people can do lots of things they set their mind to, for good or evil.
That’s why it’s so important to check our priorities and to seek God’s will daily. Jesus said, “…apart from me you can do nothing…” (John 15:5). Keep drawing our strength from the vine.
Not sure I want my sons to be president. I’m trying to teach them to avoid bad company.
Seriously, good thoughts.
Not sure I want my sons to be president. I’m trying to teach them to avoid bad company.
Seriously, good thoughts.