A Proverb for My Sons

A proverb for my sons

June 21, 2015

My sons,

I love you so much. 

On this Father’s day allow me to share my heart with you.

Know that you are my world.

Know that your mother and I love you so much.

If you take nothing from me in this life, take my words of wisdom.

Remember them.

For they are not always my words, but the words of your grandfathers.

Your uncles.

Such great men.

They are the words of great men of God.

Often right from the word of God.

Keep them close to you.

Never forget them.

I’m so sorry for the world you’re going to have to navigate.

For the world you live in now.

It wasn’t always this way.

There was a time not too long ago where things were much calmer.

More peaceful.

Quiet.

And straightforward.

It was okay to love God and tell people about it.

It was okay to pray.

Believe it or not, many if not most people went to church.

Believe it or not, most kids your age had both parents at home.

And if they didn't, they still saw their mom and dad.

Their dad might not have been home,

But he would take care of his kids.

There was a day when kids didn’t have to setup play dates.

And if we did, our mom and dad didn’t have to worry about what went on in the homes of  our friends.

We could walk down the street and play all summer.

We didn’t have to worry about what life was like in someone else’s home.

We didn’t have to worry about what someone’s past was.

We didn’t have to worry if someone’s dad or uncle or a nearby neighbor was on an offender list.

We used to walk or ride our bikes to nearby stores and gas stations.

We could buy a bag of chips and a pop for a buck.

A buck.

One dollar.

We were free-range kids before the words free and range were ever put together.

We used to watch TV at night with our parents.

As a family.

And they didn’t have to tell us to close our eyes for every other commercial.

We used to watch shows where the families loved each other.

They didn’t show dad as inept or an idiot.

They didn’t show mom as an angry woman.

We didn’t have to try to figure out why someone didn’t have a mom or dad.

Or maybe 2 moms or 2 dads.

We used to be able to get through most movies without hitting a 3^rd strike.

We would watch the news and not everything was negative.

We didn’t always hear about large numbers of people being killed.

We didn’t hear about the government shutting down.

We didn’t always hear about death and destruction.

We didn’t worry about bad guys sneaking in to the country.

We didn’t worry about bad guys flying planes into our buildings.

Don’t get me wrong.

We weren’t perfect.

But it was different.

It wasn’t too long ago you were able to be who you were.

Even if someone was a different race, color, religion or political party.

You treated people respectfully and you were treated respectfully.

We didn’t have all these labels.

We didn’t have hyphenated descriptions.

It wasn’t long ago that people weren’t so rude.

We learned about the birds and bees when our lives and bodies changed.

Not as young as you.

We didn’t worry about our self-identification.

People seemed to be what they were.

Not everyone was a bigot just because they held a different opinion.

Back in our day, politicians were still mostly looked up to.

At the end of the day, in my day,

Good was still good, and bad was still bad.

But things are different now.

And the things we called good are now called bad, and the things called bad, are somehow now good.

And the bible says in Isaiah,

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

My sons, I’m so sorry for the days you have to live in.

But I think these are the days of Woe.

And as your Father,

I hope to teach lessons to make it through this world.

I hope you learn and gain wisdom.

And I hope someday you realize that the things your mom and I do, we do to protect you

Because we love you.

We have to look out for things in such a new way.

My sons, pay attention to my words.

Incline you ears to my words.

Read the bible.

Bind the words of God in your heart.

Memorize them.

For I fear the day may come when you may not be able to read your Bible.

Hold the scriptures close to you.

And always remember the Sunday School teachers who poured their hearts into you.

Never stop singing.

May you always have the songs of the Lord in your heart.

Never stop having the joy for life.

Never stop having the joy of the Lord.

Know that you can do All things through Christ who strengthens you.

Choose your words wisely because they represent you.

Choose your actions wisely because they will define you.

Remember, you represent yourself.

Your family.

God.

The things you do are you.

The things you say are you.

The things you will post, or whatever the technology will be, are you and your life.

And your life becomes your legacy.

Be wise.

My sons, be humble.

Even in a world that is not so humble.

Be a good friend.

The Word says he would have friends must first show himself to be friendly.

My sons.

Be vigilant.

Be aware.

There is evil in this world.

And it seems to be growing at a rampant pace.

Don’t be afraid.

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Never.

As Jesus told his disciples,

Lo, I am with you always Even unto the end of time.

He.

Is.

With.

You.

Always.

Always!

Know that the same God who was with Israel in Egypt.

The same God who was with Samson when he battled the Philistines.

The same God who was with David when he face the Giant.

The same God who was with Daniel when he faced the Lions.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Is the same God who is with you.

Be careful and cautious.

Be wary and thoughtful.

Don’t listen to the rhetoric.

Watch their actions.

Look to the heart of the matter.

That’s where you see who people really are and what things really are.

When others tell you to look one way,

Sometimes you may need to look another.

When others say you can’t pray.

That’s the best time to pray.

Be wise.

Better to say nothing and be called a fool then open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Be careful of hate.

Hate will consume you.

It will grow in you.

There is so much hate in this world.

We even have “hate” crimes these days.

Yes, that’s a double negative.

Know that those in power in this world are constantly defining and redefining “hate”

So again, be careful what you say.

But know that the even the rulers of this world have to answer to God.

Be careful what you see.

For the Father up above is looking down in love.

So be careful little eyes what you see.

Read your bible

Study your bible.

Remember the words you read.

Learn the wisdom of the proverbs

And put it to good use.

Learn the beatitudes

And let them be you.

Commit your ways to the Lord

Trust him.

Run your race.

Finish the race.

It won’t be easy.

There will be highs and lows.

Dark days, with dark clouds and storms.

Because your adversary roams this world and seeks to devour you.

Don’t be afraid.

It’s okay to cry.

Even Jesus wept.

But know that joy comes in the morning.

For He heals the brokenhearted,

Binding up their wounds.

God is always with you.

There is no place you can go and He’s not there.

Honor your father and mother and things will go will with you.

But if anything,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart.

And love your neighbor as yourself

And you will have made us proud.

You will be able to be proud of yourself.

And your Father in heaven, who already loves you more than I,

Will rejoice and dance over you.