Correction and Future Respect

Scripture:
The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother ...
Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Proverbs 29:15,17

Observation: Twice, the teacher instructs parents to correct their children. Correction of children is not just for their own good, but for the good of the parents as well. In fact, in these two verses we see that correction of children my MOST benefit the parents. Failure to correct brings shame upon a mother, while giving correction provides rest and delight.

I well-behaved child is an honor to the parents. Not only do others admire a good child, but such a child provides less stress and work and pain for the parents. While all children perform some mischief, there is a time when they know the difference between right and wrong, and can control themselves to choose accordingly. However, there are also parenting methods in which right and wrong are never taught. In these cases, the children cannot choose well, but thus the parents themselves will be judged by others.

Application: Our annual Christmas lights show began last night, I already I have applied the sentiments of this verse. We have a nice display to be viewed by tens of thousands of people over 24 days, and on night one we have kids literally tearing it apart with their hands while their parents watch and say absolutely nothing. The parents think nothing of their child breaking other people's property as if they are doing nothing more than curiously learning, in a way that will negatively impact the future enjoyment of ~55,000 people, and at the cost of hundreds of volunteers who are giving away their time and money for this experience for free.

The parents think nothing of this. There is no "wrong" in the actions of their child, and no intent to correct them. In turn, I try to love the children knowing they have no corrective influence in their lives that would lead them to respect others, while knowing this is part of our society issues ... so many children are raised without any idea of respecting others, and then suddenly expected to respect everyone and everything overnight.

I don't really care about fake snowmen or small lights. I do care about a society that fights so vehemently over the ideal of respect for others, while actively refusing to teach their children about respecting others. The end result is that, when these kids do need to express respect, they will do so by respecting worldly ideals and concepts, instead of having a foundation of Godly love as the basis for respect. They will honor only cultural principles, and not people, which in turn creates its own brand of conflict. And there will be no rest of delight for anyone's soul.

Prayer: Lord, families function best when they yield to your teach, guidance, and will. May we continue to seek the renewal of your spirit in this region of the world, and in so doing may we find your instructions for families, children, parents, and community. Give myself and all our volunteers nothing but your love over the next three weeks, so we may shine your light ever brighter. Amen.