Parents & Friendship

Unfortunately, parents do not know everything all the time. Parents have no idea what it is that teenagers are forced to go through. They are very often quick to judge because they have "been there before". They have a tendency to make rash generalizations about "kids these days", and never stop to think about what the implications of their words are. I think the times change rapidly. What was true of one generation is not always true of another. The truth of the matter is this: No one mother, father, son, or daughter knows all things, on all subject matter, in all occasions, all the time. That would mean perfection, and perfection is impossible. We were born sinners. We are inherently bad people. I know this, but I need to know why parents, mothers especially, think they have teenage-dom down to an art. Having it all figured out is a false idea. Moreover, if you think you can confide in your parents without it coming back to bite you in the butt, you have another thing coming. I don't know why we expect so much from our mere mortal parents, but it is the honest truth. Your parents are full of wisdom that you should heed. But be careful not to fall into the "judgmental" trap.

My next rant is completely unrelated. I keep coming back to the relationship problem. Today it's not about a knight in shining armor, dating, or "true love" (whatever that is) it's about friendship. Some friendships come in and out of your life. Sometimes you can pick up exactly where you left off and you can talk with an ease like breathing. Some friendships just come naturally. My friendship with Jill, for example, is second nature to me. We can barely talk to for months then suddenly begin talking for hours a day. There are other friendships, however, that take true effort. These friendships, if left unattended, are hard to pick up again. Awkward silences fill the time you are together and the conversations are somehow lacking in the conviction of friendship, kindness, and comfort. You can live without these friendships usually. These are the mere acquaintances. The person you talk to during fifth period English, your gym partner, or friend from youth group. These are people that know only the basics of you. Those people have almost no power over you. If they were to walk straight out of your life, it absolutely would not matter. Strange isn't it? Both are important, but one is true. Study yourself. Be careful. And keep the true ones close.