Yesterday we said goodbye to some family who were visiting from out of state.  We see them only about once a year and so this time together was very special and appreciated.  They have the challenge of now being the parents of two teenage boys.  Having them come into our world was quite exhilarating and exhausting!  They are used to life moving at a much faster pace with a much fuller schedule of events.  One thing I noticed that I too had felt when parenting teenagers is dealing with boredom.

One of my grandsons asked me what Camille and I like to do for fun.  What do we like to do when we aren’t working?  I had to really ponder how to respond to his simple question.  As I started to mention some of the things we found enjoyable to us, I noticed his face.  It was obvious that we had different definitions of fun.  I don’t think anyone should be surprised by such a reality.  There is 50 years difference between us!  But what I sensed from him was that what I found enjoyable was boring and to be bored might be the worst thing in the world to experience.

If you have taken the time to read this you probably will notice that what I am describing certainly isn’t unique to my family nor is it a new development.  I remember as a young boy being forced to get into our family car on Sunday afternoons to take “a drive”.  It wasn’t a drive to this place or that place.  It was a drive just for the sake of taking a drive!  We would drive out into the country or even around our local town just to observe.  What made it worse was since we weren’t really going any place definitively, we were always driving very slowly.  Often time people sharing the roads would get annoyed with how slowly my dad was driving.  My brother and I sat in the backseat feeling embarrassed and just wishing it would all end.  Today, I love to take drives like I just described.  I enjoy looking around with really no agenda or plan.

While my family was visiting we rented a pontoon boat.  I wasn’t sure how the teenagers would feel about being on a boat that isn’t really designed for speed or moving quickly side to side.  It wasn’t a jet ski that they could operate on their own.  It was a pontoon boat, designed for activities much like the Sunday afternoon drives of the past.  We got on the boat and started out.  We were all surprised at how quickly this boat could move when we wanted.  We brought some fishing poles but didn’t have much luck.  The thrill of the day was jumping into the water to swim.

After these brief flourishes of activity, we spent most of the time looking at nature, soaking up the the sun, visiting, and shadowing a barge that we shared the canal.  Later that evening I asked my grandsons what was the best part of their brief visit to Mississippi.  They said the pontoon boat was their favorite.  I found this kind of ironic given the amount of time we spent just “riding”.

I mention all of this because of the pressure I know many parents feel today as they raise their children.  How does a Pastor lovingly suggest to those in the congregation with children that their child’s boredom or desire to do one more thing should not be the guiding principle of their family?  This is not a new problem but one that each generation must face.  Sadly, generation after generation refuse to hear the call to moderation in this area and teach by default that busyness is good or the desire to be entertained or connected via social media every waking moment is normal.

My hope is that in the church we can model lifestyles that are in the culture without being overwhelmed by the culture.  Parents and grandparents will need to be prepared to hear from the children and grandchildren that they are bored.  Thinking back on my own experience with boredom, I can honestly say that being bored actually spurred me on to new and fulfilling challenges.  Perhaps we all could use a little boredom!