Kingdom Hearts

Do you think America needs a drug problem today?  I do.  Most definitely, I do.  Here is a small article that I thought was very interesting.  I do not know who wrote the article but perhaps this is at least somewhat indicative of what we need more of in our society today:

I had a drug problem when I was young. 

• I was drug to church on Sunday mornings.   
• I was drug to weddings and funerals.
• I was drug to family reunions.
• I was drug to Grandpa’s ranch to work during summers.
• I was drug out the door to go to school every week day.
• I was drug by the ears when I was disrespectful to adults and teachers.
• I was drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents.

Those drugs are still in my veins.  And they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think.  They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin.  And if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America might be a better place.

—Author Unknown

My parents, in raising me, were not perfect.  I can say this with little apprehension because I think they would tell you the same thing.  But they were faithful and loyal parents.  And for that I am grateful.  They laid down expectations for me, although I did not always do a very good job in meeting them.  But one thing that was consistent, was when I was disrespectful, there was a consequence.  When I was disobedient, I was fully “informed” that such was not acceptable.   When I did not want to go to church, I was “drug” anyway.  I was expected to call friends of theirs, “Mr.” and “Mrs.” and to say “yes ma’am” and “no sir.”  And if not, I was “drug;” sometimes even by the ears.

Parents, let us make sure that we are providing our children with the upbringing they need.  It is our responsibility: not the school’s or daycare’s responsibility, the babysitter’s responsibility, nor the church youth leader’s responsibility.  Parents must take it upon themselves to teach their children right from wrong, through both instruction and example.  God has placed that responsibility upon us as parents (Ephesians 6:4).  As a parent, I try my best to let my ”kids be kids.”  However, I also believe that it is my God-given responsibility to guide them into their adulthood.  Sometimes that makes me the proverbial “bad guy.”  But hopefully in the long run, these precious boys will see me as at least a “pretty good guy.”

Our children are not only the future of our society, but they are the present!  It has to start now.  Solomon told us, “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

I am sitting here in my chair with the TV on and reading.  Makes a lot of sense, right?  I know, I know.  It’s a guy thing, I think.  Anyway, a commercial came on that got my attention.  It used to be one of my favorite commercials but I hadn’t seen it in a while.  It has a grown man and at first all you can see is his face.  And he is making these funny noises; sound effects.  And you can tell from his movements that he is emulating a sword fight of some type.  It is hilarious looking.  Then the screen expands to where you can see the whole picture and what he is doing is pretending to sword fight with his little boy in the front yard, who looks to be about 5 or 6 years old.  Then there is a caption at the bottom of the screen that says:

“IT TAKES A REAL MAN TO BE A DAD!”

Awesome commercial!  So that made me start thinking of things I love to do with Aaron and Chase.  Here are a few:

• Fishing
• Throwing the ball around outside (and inside when mom’s not home).
• Wrestling
• Playing Wii.  This is a relatively new one but we are having a blast.
• Making cinammon toast with them at night time after Cody tells them its bedtime.
• Tickling them.  This is for purely selfish reasons on my part.  There is just nothing quite like listening to the laughter of little boys….especially when they laugh so hard they lose their breath, snort, or…. well I won’t go there.
• Reading the Bible with them.
• Singing and praying with them.  I especially love to listen to them pray.  Wonderful!

And all of these are definitely things I don’t do with them nearly enough.  As a dad who has so much to learn, I would be curious to hear some things you enjoy doing with your kids.  I’m always looking for new and more creative ideas as I strive to be a better dad.

This is not anything new. I am sure many have already heard of Dick and Rick Hoyt. It seems like it was about a year and a half ago, when a friend of mine first sent me a video. I thought it was very inspiring and touching. For any who have not yet seen or heard of them, rather than try to explain any of it, I will just let you watch a couple of videos that say it all concerning a father’s love for his son. This is very powerful.

Here is another video that my friend e-mailed me last night, kind of an updated version retelling at least the beginning of how it all began.

Have a great weekend all!