Choice of Character
April 18
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.
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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