Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Parent (11/16/06)
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TITLE: Perils of Parenthood | Previous Challenge Entry
By Charles Salmon
11/21/06 -
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One of my favorite stories is about the time little Bobbie’s mom hosted the young adult Sunday school class party. Her husband had brought home from a hunting trip a hatful of wild mushrooms, which he claimed were edible. She planned to use them to serve stuffed mushrooms as hors d’oeuvres. Of course, since they were wild, she was a little concerned about possibly poisoning her guests.
As a precaution, she recruited Blackie, the family dog as a food tester. She fed him one of the questionable mushrooms and watched to see if he would get sick. After what she thought was a reasonable period of time without observing any signs of illness in the dog, she prepared the mushrooms for her guests.
The class party was a success and the mushrooms proved to be very popular with the guests. A good time was had by all until the hostess’ young son intruded, crying. “Blackie is dead!” he announced.
What ensued can only be described as panic. The hostess dialed 911 and informed the operator nine people had eaten poison mushrooms. Ambulances began to arrive and whisk guests away to the hospital where stomach pumps awaited. When the last ambulance had sped away with siren screaming, little Bobbie, forgotten in the melee, approached his mother again.
“Mommy,” he sadly announced, “that garbage truck didn’t even slow down when it hit poor Blackie.”
I’m sure the story isn’t true, but anyone who has reared children or has small children can identify with Bobbie’s mom. Parenting is sometimes tough. It requires one’s full attention.
Shirley and I reared two sons of whom we are quite proud. We could tell some true stories. I recall the time one of them asked to “borrow” our galvanized wash tub. We consented, little knowing he would drill a large hole in the bottom of it, insert an eye bolt and turn it into some sort of “musical” instrument. One “borrowed” my bicycle and, using only the most basic tools, reduced it to a hopeless pile of mixed parts. They “borrowed” both my cars at one time and the result was extensive body work and insurance claims.
In spite of all, I believe parenthood is the greatest blessing God has given us with the single exception of salvation in Christ. Every parent knows the joy of watching their child learn to walk, compete in athletic competitions, achieve one educational goal then another, and become a responsible, productive adult. I pray you have or will also know the blessing of seeing your children commit their lives to serving others in the Name of Christ. The good times far outweigh the difficult ones.
The psalmist knew the joys of parenthood when he wrote, “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3 NIV.)
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