This is probably the most difficult question I have had to answer! Almost certainly there were many times I should have followed my parent’s advice, but I seemed to have forgotten them! For the most part, however, I followed my parent’s instructions. It was partly because I did respect them, but also, I knew life would be easier and I didn’t want to rock the boat.
    Both of my parents were pretty rational and levelheaded people. From time to time, we did butt heads over things like forgotten chores, curfew and checking in when plans changed. Remember, there were no mobile devices during my early life. If you remember one of my earlier notes, the biggest disagreement we had on a regular basis was over the length of my hair. Though I regret those arguments, I am not sure there was a way to get around them! Your grandmother and I had a few of those conversations with your mother. Parents tend to freak out when the styles are different from those with which they are familiar and comfortable.
    There was one incident I should I have respected their opinion quicker than I did. It led to a heated argument. I am not certain I ever told them how sorry I was for being so stubborn. I admit I have a stubborn streak. Sometimes it looks like conviction. More times than not it is selfishness illuminated!
    During my senior year as I was developing into a fairly good guitarist and singer, our church set aside a night for me to do a solo concert. As I think back on it, I am amazed at the trust our pastors and leaders had in me and people were willing to support a young person and encourage the use of a person’s talents.
    Most of the songs were contemporary artists of the day; James Taylor, Jim Croce, Don McLean, and John Denver were some of my favorites. I must have been practicing one of the songs and mom overheard a curse word in one of the lyrics. She questioned whether it was appropriate for singing in our main Sanctuary. I don’t remember the rhetoric, but it was hot and heated. I kept insisting on the integrity of the lyric and there was artistic license. My further argument was it was a very popular song and people would like it. She did not follow or agree with my logic.
    Quite frankly, I don’t remember what I did. I may have tweaked the lyric, I may have sung it as written in defiance, or I may have deleted it! What I know now is She was right, and I was wrong!
    I should have listened to her and respected her wishes. Within a year while I was in college, I was singing pretty regularly in restaurants and bars. In those environments you could sing and play pretty much whatever you wanted and the song I wanted to sing was totally acceptable.
    One of the Ten Commandments God gave humans to follow is Exodus 20:12 New American Standard Bible 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the Lord your God gives you.” I hope you will learn how important it is to honor your parents and those who you are under their authority. One thing all parents seem to say, and all children hate is “Because I said so!” I didn’t like hearing it, your mother didn’t like hearing it, and you won’t like hearing it! At the end of the day, just listen and obey. Certainly, there are situations where parents and people in authority may be doing harmful things and you need to learn how to discern and stand up for what is right. For the most part, trust their judgment. Also, your parents have a lot of common sense and good values, learn from them!
    There is some great irony in all this. During the course of the ministry to which I was called, I was known for pushing the limits of what church people thought was acceptable. There were many who were in the fabric of the church who often took issue with my willingness to use secular movie clips and songs. Sometimes I flash backed to my mother taking issue with my song choice. Now I am retired, and I admit there were a few times I probably stepped over the line. I wish people had shown me more grace. Overall, I am glad I took those risks. Those songs and movies communicated many powerful illustrations of God’s Forgiveness, Grace and Love to people outside the walls of the church. When they heard them, it spoke their language. It was God made Flesh! It was worth the risk!
    For the record, we carefully edited the movie clips and lyrics. Occasionally, we missed something! Ultimately, I learned and am still learning to say I am wrong, you are right, please forgive me. I should have said it more often to my parents! Hope you can learn from my stubborn mistakes! Gee Sprague, November 02, 2022