What rules do you live by?
We moved to the farm when my first child was just two and a half years old. One of his greatest fascinations was the old barn. It had a ladder that led up to the hay loft. In that loft was a rope swing, which he loved. Every chance we got we would take him up to the loft and let him hang on that rope while we pushed him. He would just giggle with enjoyment. The ride was short lived because his hands would get tired from hanging on, so he would release the rope and fall down into the loose hay. After resting he would want to do it all over again. We admonished him to never go up to the hay loft without mommy or daddy. You know where this is going don’t you? On our way out to do chores my son ran ahead and started up the hay loft ladder. Half way up he lost his grip and fell onto the concrete floor beneath. The wind was knocked out of him and I ran to him and checked him out for injuries. While accomplishing this task I ask him, “What has mommy always told you?” I was waiting for the proper response of never go up to the hay loft without us. His response was, while gasping for breath, “Bad boy always get hurt!” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Cry because he got hurt or laugh because he learned a lesson it takes others a lifetime to learn.
We are like that in our daily lives. We know the speed limit is 55 so we do 59. We know certain foods and drink are not good for us, but we indulge never the less. It has been a life time yet we still struggle with he most basic rules. If we would just submit to the rules we would never get traffic tickets, we would live a healthier life, but we (our carnal nature) are stubborn to a fault. NO one is going to tell us what to do. As Gulliver said, “Oh, you foolish little people.” It made him sad to think the people could not learn the most base rule in life, love one another.
Our heavenly father has given us a book with a set of rules to live a long and happy life. Just open the pages and take a look, you will be surprised how much of what is in there was taught to you by your own parents. Life hasn’t changed, people have changed. They don’t take the time for manners, respect, or simple compassion. The world has gone crazy, you say. But the truth is, we just quit living by the rules!
As parents it is our job to teach our children to live the best lives they can. In order to accomplish this they need to learn basic rules on how to treat others the way they want to be treated. Children thrive when raised with boundaries and rules. It gives them safety and the feeling of being loved. They may test you about these rules when they get older, but that is all part of growing up. Give your child the greatest gift, the rule book, the Bible.
We as authors are supposed to follow the rules of grammar, and when we do we can turn out a masterpiece. But we all strive for independence and use our creative juices to do it our own way. How is that working out for you?
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:15-17
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Ephesians 6:1-3
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13:17
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.
Deuteronomy 11:1