“And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.” (Isaiah 3:4 King James Version)
Role reversals happen. Pastors’ wives remind pastors that being committed to helping those in need, on top of their normal work schedule is needed, emphasizing. “I must do what the Lord said.” Younger siblings provide wisdom to older brothers and sisters. New members, still on fire for the Lord, are used to inspire older members who have a long-standing tenure in the church. The studious pupil raises her hand to inject a factor not taken into account by their veteran teacher. The newest manager has a better, cost-savings idea and shares it with the senior manager team who finally concurs, “That is a good idea.” The toddler strapped in a car seat sees the adult driver discard some trash out the window and says, “You are not supposed to throw trash out the window.” Role reversals happen in all walks of life.
Here is something on the light side to support that statement. Thursday morning, while picking up some items at a big-box hardware and building supply store, I saw what might have been the greatest, well at least the funniest, role reversal of all time. A father and his toddler son are walking down an aisle where the wood flooring options are displayed. For some unknown reason, the toddler stumbles and falls. The father, displeased, tells the boy in an adamant tone, “Get up and stop walking like you have two left feet!” The toddler who had obviously been around some church folks, perhaps in the very home that he lived under his father, responds immediately, redirecting the father’s thoughts. That, I am sure. His quick response, “Well, I’m thankful for the feet that I do have!” That’s what came out of the toddler’s mouth. The father could do nothing but smile. He could not utter a word. He could say nothing but, “Come on!” I turned away, laughing quietly and went down a different aisle in case my silent laughter transitioned to a loud laugh. After my laughing moment subsided, in my mind I thought, “Oh how we need role reversals sometimes to help each other on this Christian journey.” Yes, sometimes even a child may lead the adult, as in the area of being thankful for what we do have, as you just read above. Remember what I have just shared with you and know that there will be times where, in a loving, innocent tone, you might have to influence someone to speak, act, or think in a way pleasing with the Lord, even if you are not in the leadership role. Like the toddler in the real-life happening above, you don’t have to elevate a situation, but just educated by a godly reminder. Role reversals happen and sometimes role reversals are needed. Have a super Saturday, and, by the way, don’t let your “little one” reverse roles and remind you about the fact that you need to be in church tomorrow, Sunday morning. Try to avoid that specific role reversals, as it relates to who takes the lead in reminding the adult(s) in the household not to not forsake the assembly of the saints. Yes! Avoid the role reversal trend, and You be the trendsetter in your home, in the full view of your family at all ages, or by making your adult children who have moved away wake up, rise up, so they can be raised up to a higher level of living and state of blessedness by being in the special presence of the Lord tomorrow! Call them! Instagram them! Post something on Facebook! Send them an early text! If you know they will read postings on other social media avenues, communicate with them that way! Smile! But seriously, consider what I have asked of you. Be a trendsetter and a timely leader. See the closing verses! Be blessed!
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (Psalm 100 NLT)
Mark L. King