Just a little ornery.

Did you ever see a kid who seemed to get himself into hot water on a regular basis without really trying too hard? Most of the time it wasn’t because of any malicious intent, but rather a certain orneriness that just seemed to push him to act out. Someone would then make the comment ” You know he’s one of the preacher’s kids” and someone else would reply, “I’ve heard about preachers kids!” On one hand they are pointing out the preachers ill-behaved child and on the other hand saying that preachers kids are known for being trouble.

I would like to claim that this is an unworthy stereotype, but in my case, I probably can’t. Mind you, I’m only talking about myself and I’m sure that your minister has children who are angels, at least as much as other kids. In fact, I’ve met other preachers kids who seem so good it makes me want to throw up.

Possibly it’s because we are the children of someone who’s known for being a good and holy person, that we are judged not by the standards of an ordinary child, but by the more strict standard applied to the minister parent.

I don’t know the answer, but I do know that being a preachers kid is both a blessing and a curse. Either way it makes for some interesting and funny stories.

Part of it is because preachers kids are always in front of a lot of people, sort of on display. Sometimes you resent the feeling of being watched all the time, but on the other hand it is sort of cool. Thus the conditions are set for someone who might decide to act in a way that causes someone to say ” I’ve heard about Preacher’s Kids!”

We are all a product of our parents. Sometimes we do things because of how we were taught and sometimes in spite of what we were taught. Much of the time, though, it is a product of what we observed and soaked in while growing up.

For instance, I am shy at social gatherings and tend to be quiet until I know people, but put me in front of a large group of people and ask me to talk……… I am completely at ease. I think I get this from Dad. I grew up watching him be a very polite and thoughtful person, almost an introvert, but put him in front of people to preach or for some other reason and he talked with the ease of a professional speaker.

I plan on sharing my life with you. I plan on telling stories from throughout my life and not just my childhood. Being a preachers kid has affected how I look at the world and how I act in it. I just turned 54 and am at a point in my life where I’m losing that worry that someone will be offended. After all, in my childhood it was all about NOT embarrassing Dad. He has been gone for a few years and probably knew far more about my activities than I was aware of.