There were three young men who lived in our neighborhood. They came from similar backgrounds. They were all part of the same group. Two were from homes little more elaborate than the other. They played together as children and went to the same high school. After leaving school, two of them ended up in trouble. One was involved in a series of break-ins and the other drifted from job to job, rootless, disinterested, without ambition. The third lad opened up an insurance business and now runs a thriving organization that permits he and his family to enjoy a good living. I asked this last boy's mother what she thought made the difference in the three lads. "I am not sure," she said, "unless it was the way we lived at home." She went on to say that her son, from the day he could understand, was taught to honor his father and mother. These were the only words she had to explain why her son did not go the way of the two failures. Yet isn't that enough? A father and mother must deserve a child's honor and respect. They must be an example after which he can pattern himself. It is a fairly simple matter to gain a child's love, but only by living up to a high Christian standard can we earn his honor and respect. This is something you should never forget if you are raising a child. As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.
No comments:
Post a Comment