childish reflexes

Working with my children the other day, it occurred to me that we have two sets of reflexes that are "naturally" bent-- one in the sense of omission; the other in the sense of commission.

On the one hand, my children are quick, by reflex, to respond to some injustice or pain done to them. And so, they respond with an unkind word or an act of (often greater) retaliation.

Our counsel in such cases is to squelch the existing reflex-- think before talking or acting, let it go (especially in the case of an accident), seek outside help (from us) if they have been significantly wronged and do not get proper redress.

On the other hand, my children are generally slow to apologize. (They are often quick to defend themselves-- independent of guilt or even ill motive-- but this takes us back to the first reflex above.) Even when they do something accidentally-- for example, stepping on my foot-- they don't (yet) reflexively say "I'm sorry".

Our counsel in such cases is to develop the appropriate reflex-- empathize with those you've harmed, make restitution as relevant, look to change habits to avoid repeating the offense.

Of course, the punchline is that I am quite capable of such childish reflexes (or their absence). Through the changes wrought in me by God's grace, my apprenticeship to Jesus Christ, and the empowerment of Holy Spirit, I am generally able to overcome the reflexes of the sinful nature. But they continue to fight for a presence and even a preeminence in my daily life.

Thanks be to God for His merciful forgiveness and His gracious provision!