Who grew up in a home where children were told to be seen and not heard? Me. If I heard that once I heard it 50 times. My dad was very strict on his children showing manners at all times but especially if we had company. Even grandparents were considered company! If a human being could burst into a million pieces, it would’ve been me during those times I was working hard to be quiet, yet I was definitely seen. He didn’t tell me I had to be still so I broke that rule sometimes without even making a noise. I never understood why that was a rule but I was wise enough to understand the consequences of breaking that rule.
Then I grew up, got married, and I had children. I completely understood. However, not in the way you’d think. As I come full circle, I see that even as a child being seen and not heard gave me opportunity to watch people and learn the different ways people communicate, their body language, and how they respond to life situations. Having to be quiet when I wanted to yell gave me an opportunity to learn self-control in times when it is hard. It is only as an adult now that I see how those lessons formed me as a friend, wife, and mother (even though I don’t think my dad intended on that being the lesson-ha). Unbeknownst to me, it made me wise beyond my years as a child and as an adult, it prepared me in situations where being seen and not heard saved me from more than consequences from my dad.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Prov 9:9
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.”
Hebrews 12:11-13
Sometimes we don’t understand the discipline but we learn from it and sometimes that lesson is learned much later.