4th of July fireworks

People of the older generation often decry the sad state of the younger
generation. They have different ideas, different likes and dislikes,
different music, different styles of dancing and a way different grasp of
technology.

The home has changed substantially also. In years past, the wife mainly
stayed at home, took care of the kids, managed the household, cooked,
cleaned, etc. Now it is not unusual for the husband to fill that role or at
least take a more active part in household matters than was done in years
past.

The idea of creature comforts and time saving devices have changed also. I
can remember party lines on the telephone, then the wonder of having a
private line in your home, now its not unusual for everyone in the household
have their own cell phone. You may remember when washing machines had
ringers to ring the water out of the cloths. Now we have driers and things
changed dramatically, no more hanging your cloths outside to dry, everything
from the convenience of your home. Then they came out with permanent press
clothes and the ironing board disappeared from the home.

This week our three year old great niece, Megan, was visiting my mother. Mom
had gotten out the ironing board and set it up and Megan asked, "What are
you going to do with the sled Grandma?" My mom said, it was obvious that she
had never seen an ironing board before.

Yes, our world changes, but there are some things which should never change.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it." I realize that this is a
"Proverb," not a directive from God which is true in every case, but the
principle is solid. We are all, to some extent, a product of our upbringing.
Some people are molded by the principles with which we were raised and some
of people have to rise above the principles with which they were raised.

Sometimes it is easy to tell what values are taught in a home. I'm reminded
of the story of the time a preacher visited a family and they asked him to
stay and eat with them. The preacher bowed his head before the meal and
prayed and afterward the little son asked him, "Why do you talk to your
food?" Obviously the little fellow had never heard anyone pray before and
didn't have a clue what was going on. He was lacking in training.

Years ago my wife and I developed the habit of praying often, even when we
parted company from friends and relatives. Our son Seth learned that lesson,
but didn't appreciate it at his young age. He made the comment to a friend
one time, "If the house was on fire, dad would stop us from rushing out so
that he could have prayer first!" I don't think he meant it as a compliment
at the time, but it was.

We are celebrating the 4th of July, probably the most important day in our
nation's history. Sadly, many of our nation's children don't really
understand the importance of this day. They think it is all about food and
fireworks. Stop and think for a moment and ask yourself, "What am I teaching
my children or grandchildren?" What have you taught them of the history of
our great nation? What have you shared with them regarding the men and women
who serve and have many times died to make it possible for them to enjoy the
food and fireworks?

If you are not giving them the guidance they need, don't be surprised when
they develop a different set of values or a different code of morals and
ethics of which you may not approve. As Solomon said, "Train up a child in
the way he should go," A modern translation puts it this way, "Direct your
children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will probably
hold to the path."

Russ Lawson