Choice
of Character
The sluggard's
craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
Proverbs 21:25
Dad was a detective of sorts… “Did
you finish cleaning the garage?” he casually asked, as I headed out
the door.
Why’d you have to bring that up
now?! I stewed. I knew that if I answered truthfully I’d be
relegating myself to the completion of the task. Instead of watching
a movie with my friends, I’d be sweeping, stacking boxes, and
stocking shelves!
I knew he already knew the answer when
he added, “It’s your choice. You can blow it off again, and go to
the movie with your friends”—which will result in additional
work and grounding is what he was really thinking—“or, you
can stay home, complete the task I gave you, and then catch up
with them for the second flic.”
Then Dad did something I will never
forget…he got out of his chair and met me at the door, “Look …”
he said, “I know the temptation is to lie and go have fun for the
rest of the day. But if you do, you won’t enjoy the movie.” He
grinned as he turned away, adding one final temptation, “It’s
your choice…I’ll even wait to ground you until you get back!”
†
Tasks and chores… I
hated those words growing up. But thirty years of parenting
has shed a lot of light on the matter.
What is it about those two words that
tempt a child to become idle and lie?
Any parent, if they love their
children, is going to be persistent in teaching good work ethics.
Because failing to teach our children to become contributors to
society, is to invite unwanted and unnecessary disaster at some point
in their lives.
What is it that teaches children to
become idle and lie? In short, it’s family values and sin-nature.
The parent who refuses to acknowledge that responsibility and
integrity are taught and begin at home, sends their child into the
world without the advantage of good moral character. Failing to
complete this task will aid them in a life of laziness and entitlement.
Prayer
“Lord of all Creation,
help me instill in my children a desire to know the sense of
accomplishment. Help me instruct them to be fruitful, with a desire
to contribute to Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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