My dad was telling me about the Wisconsin v. Yoder case back in 1972 at lunch today. An interesting case between an Amish father and the state of Wisconsin.
Long story short, several Amish kids stopped attending school after the 8th grade because the Amish believed that higher education was not only unnecessary to their simple way of life but also that it endangered their salvation. The case was taken all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court and was eventually ruled in favor of Yoder.
My dad mentioned that one of the justices said something to the effect of “They don’t want the kids to attend school these years, not because of preference, but from conviction.” He understood the importance of allowing parents to parent in the best way they know how and according to their beliefs. He also knew that because of this conviction, this Amish father was willing to “die” on this hill to do what he thought was right.
We so often argue and get upset about little things. What if we put things in their proper place? What if we started treating trivial matters trivially and started treating important things seriously?
Understand what hills you’re willing to die on and which ones you aren’t.
Fight accordingly.