Today I Taught My Child

When I got mad today and hit my child

"For his own good, " I reconciled,

and then I realized my plight...

Today, I taught my child to fight.

When interrupted by the phone,

I said, "tell them I'm not home."

And then I thought, and had to sigh...

Today I taught my child to lie.

I told the tax man what I made,

forgetting cash that was paid,

And than I blushed at this sad feat...

Today I taught my child to cheat.

I smugly copied a cassette,

To keep me from one more debt,

But now the bells of shame must peal...

Today I taught my child to steal.

Today I cursed another race,

Oh God, protect what I debase,

for now, I fear it is too late...

Today I taught my child to hate.

By my example, children learn

That I must lead in life's sojourn

In such a way they are led

By what is done and not what is said.

Today I gave my child his due

By praise for him instead of rue.

And now I have begun to guide;

Today I gave my child pride.

I now have reconciled and paid

to IRS all that I have made.

And now I know that this dear youth,

Today has learned from me the truth.

The alms I give are not for show,

And yet, this child must surely know

That charity is worth the price:

Today he saw my sacrifice.

I clasp within a warm embrace

My neighbor of another race.

The great commandment from up above.

Today I taught my child to love.

Someday my child must face alone

This fearsome undertone,

But I have blazed a sure pathway:

Today I taught my child to pray.

Isn't it sad how we forget that our children watch our every move to see how to behave. That is why our children end up just like us, they learn how to behave and interact with others through us. As parents, that is a scary thought. But as a child (teen) myself, I know just how this poem works. I do watch my parents and other adults in my life to see what is counted as acceptable behavior, because if you think about it, a parent is the closest thing to God a young child has.

Be the example, and shine with the love of Christ, and your child will do the same.

Time

After another late night at the office, Daddy came to little son's room just as Johnny was getting in bed. Johnny asked, "Daddy how much do you get paid an hour?" His Daddy replied, "I make $20 an hour ....... why do you ask Johnny?" There was silence and then he asked, "Daddy, could you give me $10?" As Daddy handed him the $10 he asked Johnny what the money was for. Johnny excitedly replied, "Thanks Daddy.....with the money I already had, now I have enough money to pay for an hour of your time so you can play with me."


Isn't that sad? I know most of us chuckle at that, but how many of us have ever felt like Johnny? How many like Daddy? We spend our lives in constant hurry, worrying over grades in school, over taxes, over work, over money, over lots of things we feel are incredibly important, but for what? So we can get that raise, get more deductions, get "employee of the month," make the Honor Roll? We all need to look at our priorities. Most of us will say God is first, but most of us sadly have Family first, not that family isn't important, but God is even more imprtant than that. Who do you have to answer to when you die? Me...no. Your parents...no. Your boss...no...God the Almighty...yes! The only one capable of letting you enter into heaven...DUH!!!

And isn't it also great we have a Daddy in heaven from whom we don't have to buy attention and love!