Feeling Popeye-ish
Todd Wilson
Thursday, June 4, 2009
 1 of 1
Hey Dad,
There are times in a dad's life when he feels somewhat Popeye-ish. You know the routine: Popeye is getting thumped by Bluto, when suddenly he announces to everyone watching, "That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more." He pulls a tin can of spinach from his shirt, the music plays, he swallows the contents, and wham-o … Bluto's on the run.
Like I said at first, I'm feeling a little Popeye-ish. I've reached my limit, I've hit the wall, I'm in the vise-like hold of Bluto—all because my kids are driving me nuts. I was outside two nights ago working around the house and could hear their sweet, angelic voices screaming at each other like deranged killers.
They had made even larger messes out of my big construction mess, and when asked to clean up, I could smell their stinkin' attitudes from across the yard.
"That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more," the Popeye within me announced.
Yesterday morning we had a short family meeting after devotions, and their mom and I told them what was expected from them. It helped a little, but by evening I felt like I was snappier than ever at my little Blutos.
The truth is there are no special spinach powers for dads. Yes, we must rely on and rest in God's enablement. There is no silver bullet, no magic pill, no one bit of advice to swallow and make our muscles bulge and attitudes cease. It's like life. You fall and get back up. You fail and ask forgiveness. You give instructions, re-tell, and then tell again as though they never heard them. You just keep on keeping on.
That said, I think it's time for a little extra something. In fact, I was thinking about writing up a standard for Wilsonliving when I saw over at the Familyman Forum that the question had already been asked about writing a code of conduct.
Yes, we have the Bible which is sufficient, but I was thinking along the lines of 10 things written in blood that every family member knows … I mean really knows. It might be along the lines of how we talk to each other, how we honor each other, or how we obey when asked to do something.
I just know something's got to change.
But I need your help. I'd love to hear your thoughts about a Family Code of Conduct. Maybe you've implemented something similar at your house, have some good ideas, or just feel like me … "That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more."
To share you ideas, go to the Familyman Forum.
From one Popeye to another …
You 'da dad,
© 2009 Todd Wilson. Used by permission
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