You’re Disqualified

   When Jeromey was 4 ½  years old, I was watching him and his brother (Michael) as they played on their Grandpa’s driveway in Arizona.  Jeromey was doing something that I considered too dangerous, so I tried to stop him.  He turned to me and yelled “You’re disqualified.”

   I sat him down on the driveway next to me and asked what he meant by that.  He said, “You’re disqualified from telling me I can’t do that.”

   As I thought about and reflected on that discussion, I realized there was a direct relationship to our faith, sinfulness and reconciliation.  Our sinfulness declares “You’re disqualified,” to God for trying to tell us what we can and can’t do.

   As a Director of Religious Education at the time, this experience helped me in talking with parents and preparing children for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This interaction and discussion also reinforced for me that children can teach us important lessons, and ones with great faith growth opportunities.

   I also have an increased awareness about lessons children teach us.  I feel blessed and get inspired by what God shares with me through adults, youth and children.  My faith is more alive because of such revelations and that lifts my spirit.