Fighting with your parents.

Exodus 20:12 "Honor your Mother and Father"

This is going to be a devotional that may hit home closer than most because as you get older, it holds true - that the parental units (my favorite phrase) sharing your house with you - may never quite understand how this whole world really works. Some of us are very lucky and just get along with our parents. Some of us are of the average folk and have good days and bad days. Then some of us are of the other few that swear we we were dropped off one house too soon. I'm going to advance this devotional a bit to a few years past where you are standing today and try to help you so that you may survive and possibly collect that $200 on Go.

Here's the "How to fight with your parents - for dummies" version of how this will all fold out. Ready? Take notes. This might make a few parents unhappy because I'm going to let you all in on a little secret. Actually, a few. If this works, you may be well equipped for that next argument waiting for you.

1. They're newbs. Yep. It's true. They are newbies. Never, and I mean never have they done this before. No matter the circumstance, you are the first time they have ever experienced you. So, as many times that they try to convince you they are good at this whole raising you thing- you now know a key piece of the puzzle. This IS their first rodeo.
2. They are still growing up. Ever wonder how a parent goes from being a teenager to *BAM* - Annoying Parent? I mean seriously, they went to middle and high school once too. They had to of been some sort of cool once. Why do they suck so bad now? It's because they're still trying to figure it out. Imagine yourself as a parent. How would you do it? Now add a few years onto your life and *BAM* Enter your parents name here:____________.
3. They are jealous. Very. They miss being where you are in life, laughing with their friends, drawing hearts in class, poking fun at each-other. They miss knowing what it feels like to care about that polo and shoe brand in style today. The music passed them by and they miss the times you are in now where you get lost in the top 40. They mean it when they say they can't stand todays music. It's not nearly as 'in' as their music was.

Those are just a few secrets. Imagine you could seriously close your eyes and picture what it would be like to be in their place. Feeling their way around because someone thought it was funny to introduce you into their life without a 'how to' youtube account. Life brought you into their world without asking if they were ready. So they cleaned up their toys and made room for you. They turned off the radio so they could hear your voice. They stopped trend shopping to buy you those shoes you can't live without. The world kept spinning while they slowed way down to teach you to walk.

I challenge you to think of these first three - of so many more secrets - your parents are keeping from you the very next time you yell back. The next time you cross your arms and scream obsenties in your mind... I challenge you to think of these insights. Think it will help you? try it.

Resources : http://www.tddm.org/