Papa B
Pirahna Principle
Just one can’t kill you
Over the years I’ve developed the concept of the Piranha Principle to explain why in our modern society we feel overwhelmed and defeated despite our obvious wealth and blessing. I’ll use me as the example. I have a great wife (mamakay), five great kids, I don’t carry consumer debt, I have a great career and a job that more than covers our monthly expenses, I’m active in my church, and generally regarded as a good Christian father.
With all that, I still get worn down bit by bit by the slight annoiances of everyday life. The alarm didn’t wake me up in time, the guy in front of me didn’t pull out fast enough, the line in the super market didn’t move, the kids didn’t get the mess cleaned up, and the like. Each little thing taking a bit of me like piranha taking down a water buffalo. One piranha by itself can not kill; it’s jaws are not big enough to inflict enough damage but you let it invite 200 of its friends and then you’ve got trouble. Read on…
Proverbs 3:1-4
Pro 3:1-4 ESV My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, (2) for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (3) Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. (4) So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
There are two proverbs here. The first is his admonition to his children to remember and keep the teachings he is giving them because it is given in love for their benefit. The second is regarding love and faithfulness. Solomon regards love and faithfulness as precious things to cherish and in doing so you will be honored for it.
The second proverb reminds me to teach my children how precious love and faithfulness is to God and to us.
Praising through the Fruit of the Spirit
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
I realized recently that I could be doing a better job praising my children. Since my desire is for them to develop Godly characters and seek to seek Him in all their ways, I feel that I should foster in them the manifestation of the Spirit in their lives. To that end I’m going to Praise through the Fruit of the Spirit with them.
So when I see my eldest child being loving to her little sisters I’ll say “Thank you, One Potato, for showing love for your sister.” And when my third daughter is content with what she has to play with I’ll say “Thank you, Three Potato, for being peaceful.” And when my second child doesn’t glomp on her friends at church I’ll say “Two Potato, it really makes me proud when you have self-control.”