Dr. Jeckel / Mr. Hyde

Why is parenting so hard? Why are the highs greater than anything else, and the lows are brutal? I know they are just children, and mostly great children at that; but in those moments of almost losing it and throwing them like I did the cat I really have to breath and understand their motivation for their behavior. Usually it is to get my attention, to feel loved and wanted. The selfless nature of being a parent is the exact opposite of what "the natural man" wants. Oh the genius of our Father in Heaven. There is no other way that I would learn to be selfless. Sure service is a way to get there, but it is easy to mix motivations with doing service. The only way for me to learn this eternal lesson of being selfless is by helping raise two boys (with more to come). I imagine that you understand that this post was sparked by something that happened this morning. Nothing really out of the ordinary, but the topic has been burning in my mind for, oh, two years now; and I'm sure I will visit the topic again. I am grateful for this blog that helps me take time to organize these thoughts, and calm down a ton. And I must also thank my wife for her patient and tender heart while I take a moment.