We Need a ~Do Over~

My Dearest Reader,

This past week I found myself feeling rather broody which is so unlike me to feel this way. It all started with listening to the idle ~talk~ of a bunch of children waiting to catch the school bus.

With ~F~ bombs flying with every other word and the constant usage of the words "bitch, bitchy and bitches" I believe that I have finally come to the realization that as a society our mortality meter has dipped way below zero.

I do not live in a bad neighborhood. Most of these children are dressed in clothing that I am convinced probably cost their parents the equivalent of a monthly mortgage payment. And yet for all of their smashing clothes, gagingly over priced sneakers, stylish Vera purses and book-bags it is obvious to me that these children have no concept whatsoever of what it means to be respectful and respect one another. It's sad. Moreover; it is more than a little depressing when you consider that these children with their morality compasses pointed in no particular direction are the future of this country.

It use to be (and not so long ago) that when a child used inappropriate language in the presence of an adult, and you called them on it, they would at least look somewhat embarrassed. Now if you call them on their language or behavior they'll quickly tell you to go "f" yourself. Not even the courtesy of telling you to "mind your own business" which is no doubt disrespectful but preferable to a "go ~f~ yourself". Somewhere amongst the sands of time we have lost the ability to value ourselves as human beings and in doing so we have lost the ability to teach our children to value themselves and others.

I am going to hazard a guess and say that this probably began around the time that parents began to try and be their child's friend instead of being their authority figure, their mentor, their moral compass until they developed one of their own that actually worked.

Parents stopped disciplining their children with the ever swift, no nonsense, over your knee butt spankings and began utilizing the retarded methods of "time outs". It has been my experience in viewing parents practice this "time out" method that what they ended up with is a child scheming in the corner of what they were going to do next. Not pondering their misdeeds.

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother". Proverbs 29:15

I recall in my childhood that my Grams was lightening quick with the plastic fly swatter when one misbehaved. Being flopped with a fly swatter stung like a bee and caused one to ponder on rather misbehaving in that particular way ever again was worth the price. I also recall my Father once gave me a sharp rap across the knuckle with the handle end of a butter knife for reaching for the last dinner roll and not first asking if anyone else cared for it. These are things one does not forget. I survived these "hard" lessons and grew up understanding manners, and the proper way that one should behave as a lady.

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him". Proverbs 22:15

As I listened to these children waiting on the school bus I wonder how they behave at home in front of their parents. I doubt that they cuss like a ~sailor~ but I am equally doubtful that they show any real degree of respect either. Children today seem to have this whole sense of entitlement thing going on. They walk around with the attitude that the world owes them something and their parents have caught the fever. Giving their children whatever they want, whenever they want it, whatever it costs. How did that come about?

I'm not saying that every child is like these I have referred to but there are enough of them for it to be a scary situation. The Bible tells us to raise our children up in the ways of the Lord and they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). They may stray away from it from time to time but it's still there inside of them and eventually they will come back to their Biblical roots.

The Bible teaches us love and compassion and forgiveness. Why aren't we teaching our children these basic things? Not only towards others but towards themselves? If you love yourself, have compassion for yourself and forgive yourself for your past transgressions how much easier is it to extend this to others?

Our society {we} need a Do Over. We need to begin at the beginning with ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and even our great-grandchildren (if you've reaches that golden time of life) and re-learn all over again basic manners, basic acceptable public (and private) behavior, basic acceptance of one another, basic language skills- in short - basic Christian values.

We need to re-learn to value ourselves as unique, wonderful creations of God in whatever package that we currently wear. Be our package tall and thin or short and plump. Then we can more easily value others in whatever package God created them in.

Yes; dear Reader, I am of the opinion that as a society we need a Do Over. And I am praying and believing that I will in my lifetime see the manifestation of this simple prayer.

It is attainable. With God; all things are possible.




“Let your beauty be found in “the hidden person of the heart,
with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God.”
1 Peter 3:4