Tuesday, April 24th, 2007...10:46 pm
God help me before I….
Tonight was a interesting / strange / confirming evening all wrapped up into one. I will try and make this short and to the point…thats just how I am as an ENTJ.
Right now I am in the middle of a book study at LifeChurch.tv. The book is Type Talk At Work. It is a book that focuses on the Myers & Briggs types and helps you focus them in your job… Anyway, my type is ENTJ, known by the book at Life’s Natural Leaders or here as The Executive. (this will come into play later in the post)
Anyway, Reese(2) and I were not in the best of moods. Mine was directly impacted by her being a total disaster and just a whip from the moment I picked her up from “school”. After many mood adjustments from mom, and dad, Reese just was not getting it. Pushing every button possible she had been introduced to the spoon, the get out of bed and get a whooping, and many other tactics just to try and get her to stay in bed… While all this is going on, Robin and I are reading in bed. I came to the part of the book that talks about my temperaments as a E(NT)J. Here are a few that stood out to Robin.
“Driven to try to understand the universe, asking Why or Why not”
“enthusiastic pursuers of adventure”
“we learn by challanging any authority or source”
“we have our own benchmark for what is competent and measure everyone against it”
“relentless in pursuit of excellence, and can be critical of our own shortcomings and others”
Getting about half way through the section Robin said… “Are these yours, or your daughters?”
Whack! Right between the eyes! All the things that totally drive me nuts about Reese, are at the core of who she is. She, is pretty much a mini-me, with a little dash of Robin. And the mini-me is driving me NUTS! But, at the end of the day, I recognize who God has made her to be…and it is our job as parents to guide and direct her to become all that God desires her to be.
God give me the patience and discernment to train up Reese (and Reia) in the way that they should go, so that they will not depart from it (Prov22:6). Or in my words, God please let Reese get out of this stage that she is in before I kill her!
I lead the digerati team at
8 Comments
April 25th, 2007 at 7:22 am
I have 3 daughters and my second daughter (7) is the most like me and is so stinkin strong-willed, and she can be a real diva. At those times I realize, with the help of my wife, that I too, am looking at myself.
God really knows how we learn as men…
April 25th, 2007 at 8:19 am
Amen to getting out if that stage!
I too am a ENTJ and have a daughter who is very much like in me that sense, blended with the fact that she wears her emotions on her sleeve. So when she is happy you know it, when she is not happy you experience it.
By the way did you know that only about 2% of the population are ENTJ’s?
April 25th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Just so you know, that is exactly what Reia does to me! Except for I think she is much more broodish than I am…..well, maybe not. Ahem. =)
Love you
April 25th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
ENTJ’s Unite!
I actually have 3 boys and 1 girl all 6 and under. The next 16 years or so could be very scary.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:35 am
Kids are the very best tool that God gives to understand how much grace He gives us (and how easily He can squash us). I don’t know how many times I have said “if you don’t blah blah blah, I am going to have to get the ruler…”…then I feel God tap me on the shoulder…and then my son gets all kindsa grace…cause there ain’t no way (sorry Robin for the “ain’t no way”) my son is receiving less grace from me, than I receive from God!
April 26th, 2007 at 9:13 am
I had one of those days this morning. Our boys are 7 and 4, but our 7 yr. old is like us both in so many ways! Honestly, sometimes we are not sure how to “handle” him. Then, we realize that God has gifted him tremendously. We’re pretty sure he will be a CEO someday…he’s just got “it”. Now, if only we can help him shape that “it” into what it can be! I’m so thankful that God gives us grace on parenting. I”m also thankful that we can tag team parent:)
April 26th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
You see, Terry, I’m on the other side of the fence. Trust me, it’s not easy being just like your dad. I know you have a tough job, but just remember that some of your bad traits will be passed on and they will tend to clash with yours and poor Robin is caught in the middle.
The one thing I hated the most was when I would misbehave and my parents would mention God. I wonder why? Instilling that in my young heart helped create who I am today.
I do, however, have to say you just committed the greatest mistake in your life. You just asked God for patience! That means you’re kid will be just like me. (That’s not a good thing. My parent’s probably prayed for patience and then they had me.)
Think I’m joking…. just wait.
April 27th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Oh… You’ll find plenty of empathy here. My 4 year old is exactly like me… and it drives me crazy. Who knew how challenging I am to get along with!
Leave a Reply