What Are You Teaching Your Children?
“You shall therefore lay up these words
of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on
your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach
them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and
when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
–
Deuteronomy 11:18-19
It was one of those days. The rain was pouring down
and I was sitting in a veterinarian’s crowded waiting room. A woman, her
grandson and her little dog (in a small kennel) came in not long after me. The
boy was restless as most almost-four children would be. Waiting is hard.
He decided to get a book. He selected the Bible. His
grandmother wasn’t pleased. As the little boy sat down in a chair and started turning
the pages, she snatched it away. “No,” she admonished. “You don’t want that
one.” She handed him a child’s book on animals.
Another woman suggested a children’s Bible. “It’s
probably on the other table,” she said. “I know they have one here.”
“No. This book is fine.”
The little boy soon grew tired of that book and turned
to Hot Rod magazines and such. The woman made no effort to engage the child.
Maybe she couldn’t read. I don’t know her story. But I do know that she seemed
determined to keep that little boy from Jesus.
Sadly, the boy didn’t talk. The most that came from
his mouth was the beginnings of a tantrum because I refused to let him play
with my phone. I remained calm and offered to read a book with him. When he
realized that a tantrum wouldn’t work with me, he moved on to something else.
Never once did he show the woman any respect. Never
once did he do as she asked. I know. He’s not quite four. It was still sad.
I don’t know if his environment has created the issues
already so obvious to all of us in that waiting room. I don’t know if there’s
underlying medical issues we can’t know. But I do know that little boy needs
Jesus. So does his grandmother. Why is her heart so hard?
Our nation now is focused on school shootings and how
to prevent another tragedy. We are becoming more aware of the need for
counselors and mental health intervention. But shouldn’t we also consider
getting involved before there’s a serious problem? This little boy could have a
different life. His reaction to me when I refused to be swayed by his outburst clearly
showed he is capable of listening and changing his behavior. His grandmother
can’t control him at this young age. What will his life be like in 10 years?
I wish I had engaged the little boy more. Honestly, I
just didn’t want to. I wanted to wait my turn and keep my ailing dog calm. I
didn’t have the energy to insert myself into someone else’s life. Conviction
hurts. Have you ever been there?
I should have spoken up. I should have drawn this
emotionally hungry and needy child toward me so that I could show him the Jesus
his grandmother had rejected. I hope next time I’ll reach out. I hope next time
I’ll speak up. I hope next time I’ll allow Jesus to use me to nurture those He
places before me. It takes all of us to change the world, one child at a time.
