“But dad, you’re supposed to say that about me because you’re my dad.”
You parents ever heard that one?
Even if you’re not a parent, I bet you’ve seen that scenario play out. I bet somewhere, sometime recently, someone you care about dismissed something you said or did because you are supposed to say or do it.
“It’s your job.”
“You’re my mom.”
“You’re a pastor.”
“You’re a Christian.”
“You’re just a good friend.”
“You’re just being nice.”
“It’s my birthday.”
And on and on and on goes the list of why people dismiss cliche acts of love.
I don’t know about you, but when that happens, I’m tempted to give up.
I need to not be so cliche and boring.
See, that’s what I think, but I’m wrong. Dead wrong.
How do I know?
Because every time I talk to the young adults I pastor and we poke at their past, the only thing they seem to remember is ALL the cliche and boring stuff that did or didn’t happen.
“My dad never said he loved me.”
“My dad said he loved me all the time.”
“My mom came to all my games and she cheered for me.”
“We always had dinner together as a family.”
“I’ll never forget when dad told me he was proud of me.”
“She hugged me.”
That’s it. That’s what people remember.
