The Well

SEIZE THE MOMENT

Yes, I know that this isn't from Proverbs 6, or have you noticed that I usually use the scripture from that day's date? Oh, well, I didn't have one for this date…so…

Most of us grew up thinking that we are controlled by our mind, at least I know I did. However, as I have studied the scripture, comparing it with what I studied in trying to get a degree in counseling, I realize that it is what is in our heart that is what controls us.

Several years ago, Cindy (Roger's daughter), and I were sitting around the table talking and Becca (my granddaughter) came into the room making a lot of noise and talking loud. I asked her to be a little quieter because the baby was asleep and she looked right at me and said, "I'll knock your head off." Now, Becca was only four at the time. I realized I needed to seize the moment to teach her about respect for old people like me.

So, I explained that telling any adult that she would knock their head off wasn't nice and did not please the Lord. I asked her to tell me that she was sorry. She just lowered her head and started playing with the truck she was pushing through the house. I asked her again, in a very controlled quiet voice, to tell me she was sorry. She refused. I then gave her the option of telling me she was sorry or having a "time out." She stood motionless, mumbling something under her breath. After one more opportunity to apologize, Becca stood firm.

At that point I calmly picked her up and sat her in the den floor in a corner and explained that she would be able to get up in five minutes or less if she would apologize. She took the five minutes. At the end of five minutes I set her free, but I used the rest of the day to instruct her every time she did something good or something bad. By nighttime she was saying, "Yes, ma'am," and "No, ma'am." Each time I noticed her reverting to her four-year-old attitude I brought it to her attention and before she went to bed she was a different child and even apologized to me.

Becca behaved in the way her brother behaved around his friends, he was six then. Her mother is hearing impaired and probably didn't pick up on Becca's attitude that well. Now, I could have let all the things I had to do distract me from teaching her, but I knew the most important thing I could do while she was here would be to gently instruct her in what was right and wrong. Isn't that what grandmothers are for? Or, I could have just let it go and let her grow up without a conscious. Unfortunately, that is what happens too often today with our children.

Becca is now fourteen. She has a clear understanding of who her daddy is, what right and wrong is, and is a precious young lady. Earlier this evening her mom called to ask me to pray for her. One of her best friends was killed in a car wreck last night; a friend she tried to get to spend the night with her. She is crushed. She understands now how brief life can be and the consequences of choices. People, let's pray for our children and grandchildren and help them learn God's ways and the meaning of respect.