Double~take | terrible twos

too much to handle

I

know a few children about the age of two. I have lived with them for more than a year now, and I still don’t know why anyone would come up with the title “terrible two’s”. In my experience, they are very polite and considerate small people - perfectly willing to share their raisins or juice with you (sometimes to the point of forcing it into your mouth, but hey). Maybe I only ever run into the nice ones?

I think these “too’s” are far more “terrible”:

(In other people’s opinions…)

• If I’m not too young, then I’m too old.
• I either have too much experience; or I’m too inexperienced.
• sometimes I have too much stuff… other times I have too little.
• I am either too quiet, or too noisy;
• too strict, or too laid back.
• I am too conservative, or too liberal;
• too traditional or too contemporary;
• either too religious or too secular.
• too urban, or too suburban.

(Or in our own opinions…)

• too tired
• too hyper
• too hot
• too cold
• too fit
• too un-fit… the list goes on.

My uncle has lived in the United States for years now - long enough to get a US passport. Even so, when he’s over there he is “the Aussie” to his American friends because of his accent. In Australia he is “the American” because of the very same accent.
It’s very stressful to always be after public approval - if anyone’s holding out for perfection; or universal popularity, they’ll be waiting a while. That’s not to say that everyone’s feedback should be disregarded - sometimes we genuinely need to change; but it shouldn’t ever be only to curry favour or conform.

I think we work together like a puzzle - people should be themselves (each puzzle piece has a distinct shape - think Romans 12), but we are a work in progress - we still need some corners knocked off before we can fit together perfectly and form a clear image. At least we know that God loves us as we are; and works in us “to will and to act according to his good purpose”, as opposed to dumping requirements on us then not lifting a finger to help us with them.

And if after all that you still end up with a “terrible” misnomer, remember: you serve a convicted felon. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Double~take appears every Saturday on theRubicon. Find past Double~take posts and a bio of Stephanie Hung here.

3 Comments to Double~take | terrible twos

1. Knowing a few 2 year olds is different than having one of your own. That experience might help you understand the “misnomer” a little better, or at least sympathize with it…
Jeremiah on August 9th, 2008

2. I would think living with and looking after a two year old that wasn’t yours would be more stressful than looking after your own. And I think my niece is gorgeous
Steph on August 10th, 2008

3. Just joshing with ya, Steph. My kids are the best. Come back to your article if you have kids in the future and see if you still agree with yourself….
Jeremiah on August 10th, 2008

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