We were all young once. But we are often quick to forget. We tend to assume everyone should be at our same level of maturity, which causes us to look down on those who have not yet arrived. Remembering the days of our youth helps us to show compassion and understanding for those who are still on the way.
Without a doubt, there was a time in which we made many foolish mistakes simply because we were young and immature. In fact, if we could, we would be tempted to go back and rewrite those more embarrassing and shameful aspects of our story. But it was through these moments that we grew into the maturity that we now enjoy today.
And, of course, part of maturity is extending grace and forgiveness to our younger selves. We don’t have to keep beating ourselves up for the things we did yesterday.
But true maturity is also offering this same grace and understanding for the immaturity of others as well.
It’s prideful to overlook the days of our youth while still holding this against others.
And remembering that we too were once young is not to downplay or sugarcoat other’s shortcomings. We do them no favors to pretend there are no consequences to the sins of their youth.
At the same time, we’re not looking down on them as if we didn’t have to travel the same path. While the particulars of our shortcomings will often vary greatly, we’re all on the same journey of growing up and should be quick to offer grace to each other.
We shortchange our continued maturity when we forget our youthful days and start to patronize others in their current season of immaturity.
Remember the days of your youth with kindness and extend this same grace to others as well.
Photo by Robert Collins on Unsplash
