Whatever is Admirable: My Teen Respectfully Took a Stand

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:6-8 NIV bold mine)

What was admirable last week

Admirable. There were plenty of things that I admired in the past week. For example:

• When I learned from an admirable YouTube tutorial how to tie the perfect simple knot – and then I tied such an admirable simple knot for my high school senior’s scholarship finalist interview.
• When the barista at my fave Swedish bakery noticed that I asked for oat milk for me latte, and then she thought to ask me if I also wanted oat milk for my Swedish oatmeal – I told her that was so thoughtful and admirable.
• When we went as a family to Krispy Kreme (nope, no kickback here, those are simply the only donuts I’ll eat), and as always, they cheerfully handed us those famous samples hot off the donut belt – I mean, that’s always admirable. #IYKYK

But when I asked the Holy Spirit what I should write a whole article on “whatever is admirable,” the immediate answer was:

That time when my teenage son asked me to remove the idolatrous symbols in our home.

The ask last year

About a year ago, soon after my then-14-year-old son got baptized and I was still searching for Jesus, my son – I’ll call him by his middle name, Henri – came into the kitchen one day with a stunning ask. He asked me to take down a ceramic tile of a hamsa, a symbol that looks like a hand with an eye in the palm.

And also toss out a buddha fountain in my balcony garden. And get rid of a brass bell that has some monkey-like handle that I don’t even know what it is or where it came from.

I asked him why in a completely non-judgmental way; I truly wanted to know his reasoning because all along his journey to Christ, he has been able to state his reasons for this step or that step on his path.

He said he felt that they were being looked upon as idols in our home, and that God doesn’t want us to worship any idols.

As Jesus said in one of his parables, ” ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:23a (NIV)

My rebuttal last year

I countered, again in a completely non-judgmental way, “But we don’t actually worship these things. They’re just objects that we like artistically, and we like how they look. But we don’t bow down to any of them. We just respect them from other cultures.”

As soon as I said it, I knew.

That… was a lie.

I knew full well that I had collected these and other “artistic” items and used them as more than just “focal points” for meditation. I was doing woo-woo “good witchy” spells, and “asking the universe” for prosperity.

And while I wasn’t practicing any of the religions that “officially” use these items, because I was depending on them to get through life, well, they were my idols. I was worshipping them.

What was truly admirable last year (and still is)

Henri stuck. Stood his ground. Repeated that the objects still seemed like idols to him.

And what was truly, truly admirable was the deep and unwavering respect that he showed me in the midst of his strong disagreement with me.

It was so crystal clear that he was standing firm with Jesus – and yet he was also clearly obeying God’s command to respect me as his mother.

It was so stunning and admirable – seriously, I stood there actually admiring my son – that I got rid of those objects and many more.

My bonus benefit… forever

And you know what happened in the aftermath? As Apostle Paul encourages us, when we “think about such things” – feel free to review Paul’s list for ridding yourself of anxiety, including thinking about admirable things – so much of my background anxiety faded away. It was like chunks of weight lifted off my shoulders and tons of baggage released from my hands.

When Jesus said his “burden is light,” wow, so this is what he meant! (See Matthew 11:30b NIV)

Reflective Response: Whatever is admirable for you?

Just take a few moments to review your week. List 3 things that happened that make you say, “Yeah, that was admirable.” Or “That person really did an admirable thing.” Or “Hmmm, I admire that, truly I do!”

And now take note of how you feel inside as you allow all that admirable stuff to surround you and fill your mind and heart.

Do you feel like your burden has been lightened?

I hope so!