Being Open MindedIsampula

Being open minded with letting others make choices. 

Gen 13:9 – “,,,If you to the left, I’ll go to the right. If you go the right, I’ll go the left.”

As human beings, from the time we are born, we tend to like those who are similar to ourselves, be it in class or work. We make friends usually with those from a similar economical background and status. We prefer to form bonds with those who speak our language and are inclined like us in many ways. As we get older, we tend to be fixed in our opinions and like others to see our  point of view and make the choices we make.

This is very evident in the way we prefer our family members, especially our spouse and children, to conform to our likes and dislikes. When our children were growing up, I remember my wife and I had allowed them to watch music channels. I couldn’t bear watching them but my wife used to sit and watch them for at least half an hour everyday to make sure she knew what they were watching. As we grow older, the “generation gap” starts to show up and as parents we have to get used to the fact that our children may not have the same tastes in music or arts or views on current topics like us.

The willingness to be open-minded is put to the test when our children make choices regarding their life work or their life partners. In an Indian context traditionally, until a few generations back, our parents and grandparents made many of the decisions on our behalf. But with our generation, I find that our children prefer to make most of the decisions themselves. We are increasingly called to play the role of a coach than that of a captain. Sometimes, there are occasions where our children might be poised to make wrong choices. We may have to apprise them of the criticality of the decision but let them make the final choice. 

In the reading in Luke, the parable of the lost son and the prodigal father, the father let the son go, even when he knew the son broke his heart and he was hurting himself. But when he repented and came back, the father was there to receive him back. 

Prayer: 

Dear Father give me love in my heart to let my children and those close to me make choices without forcing them in any way. Give me the heart to love them in spite of their choices.