I Can't Get No Respect

I read this today, from Mark 6 (The Message):

^1-2 He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. "We had no idea he was this good!" they said. "How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?"

³But in the next breath they were cutting him down: "He's just a carpenter—Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?" They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.

^4-6Jesus told them, "A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child." Jesus wasn't able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that's all. He couldn't get over their stubbornness.

I've read this probably 50 times in my life. It has rung true in my heart numerous times, because my extended family thinks I'm still that brash 17-year old that thinks 1-that I know everything, and 2-that I can do anything. Your family never really lets you grow up.

But it struck me differently this time. I think it's because of part the conversation I heard the other day, when I was eavesdropping. It went something like this:

Hunk O Man: Your mom's pretty smart.
JB: Well, she's not that smart.
Hunk O Man: What do you mean?
JB: She doesn't know stuff. She just knows how to Google stuff.

I was a tiny bit offended when I heard this. But seriously, just a tiny bit. Not much at all really, considering the source. Kids never think their parents know all that much.

I base this opinion on personal experience, of course. As a kid.

Things are different now. I'm an adult, and a parent. Since I've gone back to school, I've gotten a lot of accolades about the way I write. I've gotten straight A's. I watch Jeopardy all the time, and usually get the answers (except when it's literature -- I never seem to know who wrote what obscure book). I love trivia and I love to learn. I think there's something to be said for knowing when you don't know -- and knowing how to find the answer.

And my family relies on me to know most things -- the locations of their stuff, the times of their events, the status of the pantry and freezer, and generally what's for dinner and whether or not I've washed a load of towels.

But when it comes to me really knowing anything, apparently I'm just a Googler.

This makes me laugh, because I'm in such good company. Right there with Jesus.

We just don't get any respect. And Rodney Dangerfield ain't got no grammar, either. ; )

xoxox