Maturity

My 13-year-old child came down the stairs for school dressed in capri pants and sandals. It was 31 degrees outside. I told her that it was cold outside, and that she would do better dressing warmer. She refused. I remembered back to my other children and reminisced about the arguments we had years ago about roughly the same topic, except it was shorts with sandals.

It occurred to me that a mark of maturing is expectation. When a child is born, or even in the womb for that matter, there is no anticipation. The fetus doesn’t know when birth will occur and so isn’t waiting for anything. It floats nourished in fluid, perceiving what can be perceived and making sense of it, as it is able. We on the other hand as “mature” adults worry about every aspect of pregnancy, birth and life after baby comes.

We teach our children how to expect. “If you don’t go to bed, Santa won’t come.” “How long until summer break from school?” Myriads of scenarios could be recounted

So there is conflict over how to approach today. I can’t wait for spring so I will dress according to what I want not what it is. She is progressing towards adulthood at an acceptable pace. “Next year I will be better off than I am right now.” “If I can find that person who will complete me, I will be happy.” "If I just made more money, I'd be happy." "If I just had that new toy, then I would feel contented."

My 13-year-old is the word of God to me. “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for it will have worries of it’s own.” Be content with where you are today. And for God's sake dress warm!