Kids & Parenting
When I was a child, I acted as a child; a Biblical refrain, which helped me mature through the years. And during the interval since my youth, memories of events are twisted, reformed. Even embellished to the point of an offense.
Such was one of the incidents carried in my mind for too long. Forgive me Father, a proper tenet among God’s expectations. Yes dad, forgive me for my hostile thoughts.
An early memory of my dear earthly father, now deceased, was of an angry war vet wielding a branch.
I was almost four years of age. And in my mind’s eye that slender willow blossomed into a tree trunk. There was really no physical pain inflicted, just an image of one. And then, the back hairs of my young blond head stood straight up.
Turning around, my eyes allowed the excitement of planes revving up on Lake Osisko’s waterfront, to disappear from sight. It was a thrill to loiter in the center of Rouyn, Quebec. But, not a safe place for a young child.
The year was 1946. Dad had recently returned from World War Two after an absence of two years. And the bonding between father and son was strained. I was older than my sister and even at that tender age had already developed wanderlust in my soul.
Leaving the porch, front yard and apartment territory was not following the rules. Something I did often.
Dad told me much later I did learn a lesson that day. I do not remember ever being smacked on the behind. Dad also does not remember providing any pain, except telling me of his unhappiness about something I should not have done. I was a child, unattended and lingering alongside the activity of waterfront.
It was wrong of me. So it is with life. Temptations must be controlled by discipline. Each family has to decide which is the way to do so. I can only speak for myself, leaving the safe confines of my own life.
To step into the world, with its attractions and snares and mr. devil surely provides the wrong paths, which overstep safe boundaries.
In the case of a little boy I once was, stories of drowning were not uncommon. Headlines today blare out the details of another misadventure.
When confronted with a Hurricane, many insist on racing the ocean swells off the Florida coast. Or take a chance with the weather in spite of warnings to vacate lowland areas. Yes, discipline for listening and heeding a caring voice can allow a person to live a full life. And all of it captured in the spirit of love.
“Go slow,” I said to my own children. “Be not too anxious to tread the waters of life before proper preparation.” Almost sounds like a sermon if expressed in formal language. Instead let’s try, “Hey you, son/daughter of mine. I worry about you. I care about you. I love you.”
And that’s the way my dad wanted me to be.
It’s all part of discipline, footprints from parent to child. That sweet baby-faced urchin, now grown, with independence and a God-given will to make choices. And our Lord smiles at His Plan taking shape:
“Honor thy father and mother.”
* * *
© Richard L. Provencher 2004
FOOTPRINTS, a close family novel about a father’s search for a son he never met can now be ordered from SynergEbooks. Richard & Esther Provencher are also co-authors of two other novels soon to be published at: www.synergebooks.com
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1740 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Richard L. Provencher or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1740 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.