Spare The Rod Spare The Child

Yesterday I witness a daughter disrespecting her mother, she cursed out her mother and even had the nerve to suggest that she would harm her. I could tell that the mother was very embarrassed and didn't know what to do with her out of control daughter. So I walked up to the young lady and said," You shouldn't talk to your mother that way, after all she brought you into this world and has every right to take you out of it". Then I went on to say, "That you are not only embarrassing your mother, but you are bringing shame to yourself. Because anyone who disrespects their mother has no respect for themselves. After I was done talking to this young lady I could tell that her mother was happy that I said something to her daughter. This made me ask myself this question, Why are our children so out of control? Then a thought came to me and said , Its because they lack discipline, honor,don't fear God and have little respect for others, to survive in an ever changing world. These tools have to be taught in order for a child to become a respectable adult. 

What happen was so distasteful to me, that it brought back memories of when my then sixteen, year old son tried to disrespect me. One day his school called me and told me that my son was taking back to his teacher. So like any responsible father would do ,I promptly got into my car and drove to the school. I walked into his classroom and asked him to meet me outside. After I got through scolding him and telling him to never disrespect anyone of authority. When I was done, my son was in tears and was embarrassed, I think that for some reason he didn't think that he father would take time off his job to discipline him. Then he looked into my eyes huffing , puffing and mad , had his fist balled up like he wanted to fight. When I saw this I was kind of amused and then smiled. I said "Son, I love you with all my heart, that is why I am here". But I help bring you into this world and if you ever think about disrespecting me or anyone else I will help bring you out of it. Even though he was embarrassed by me coming to his school, I would rather him feel that way today, then being in jail tomorrow. For the Bible says, Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

With school being just around the corner, as adults we all should remember that our children are in training not only to learn subjects that will help them with college or beyond, but to also to prepare them to be adults. That is why I was very careful while raising my own son, never to treat him like a baby, but instead like a boy that soon became a young man. I always reminded him of who he was and prepared him for what he may become. I let him know that while he lived with me that I had certain expectations and when he ventured out on his own that he wasn't off the hook. Because not only should he meet his own goals, dreams or desires, but also that God our Father in Heaven also had expectations of his own for him to meet. I think that is why a lot of us loose our children so early , because we don't give them goals to achieve or expectations for them to meet. Also a lot of our children lack discipline, honor or respect that are needed to survive in today's world. I was always taught by my parents that if I didn't respect them, my elders or God then I wouldn't respect others when I became an adult. My parents always demanded respect, taught me what honor meant and never spared the rod. As my father would put it, "If I allow you to get away with doing something wrong today, then you will do something worse tomorrow". Spare the rod he would say, then spare the child. In other words, Proverbs 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying.

Have a blessed day,

Charles

Proverbs 13:24
He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes.
Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.