"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase"
1 Corinthians 3:6
A Message From the Horne of Africa
Teenagers Rule or Teenage Rules?
11/24/2008
Usually, in my articles, I try to write my own original thoughts and insights. Then something comes along that really "blows my mind" or "tickles my fancy." Remembering that Paul said "Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord," Ephesians 6:4, I have to share this with you.
In spite of the fact that in many Western homes "kids rule the roost," I have always taught the Biblical precept that "big people" are in charge of "little people." For those who don't get my drift, that means adults control kids and not the other way around. We have all seen a tyrant of a toddler with his temper tantrums controlling a couple of full-grown adults as they foolishly fall over themselves to appease "his majesty." Pandering to a pediatric potentate has never been God's way of doing things. Other times, teenagers have driven their parents to distraction with their antisocial antics. Experimentation with dangerous and questionable activities has often been the beginning of a downward spiral for a youngster. Eli learned too late that God holds permissive parents responsible for their unruly kids, 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-31; 3:13. Eli ignored his responsibility to "restrain them" or to discipline them when their conduct was reprehensible before God. No wonder God wants his church elders to have children who are under proper control, I Timothy 3:4-5; Titus 1:6.
I chuckled as I read the teenage house rules below. I have seen a few homes where these rules should have been the "order of the day." Having borrowed these ironic "Rules of This Household" from some anonymous author, I now submit them to you for your consideration. It begins:
'Raising teenagers is a challenge, so my hubby and I came up with the following rules to help the kids understand what
was expected of them during their pre-adult status.
Rules of This Household
1. If you are not here for dinner, too bad. This is not a fast-food place where the cook is on duty at all times. The
cook works full time and does not need a second job.
2. If you make a mess, clean it up. The dishwasher is open 24 hours a day to service you as are the vacuum, broom, and sponge. Please help them to help you by using them. If you need assistance, ask the cook -- she will be happy to give you training on any of the equipment.
3. The taxi service for this household is not on call 24 hours. You must make reservations at least 12 hours in advance. You have two good legs, skateboards, and bikes that are somewhat operational; one of you has a vehicle that works. Use them. By the way, skateboards are to be used on the outside of this house and are never to be used in the living room just because the landing is softer when you fall.
4. We are not a bank and you have no collateral to offer us. Face it: We own everything you have and we have the receipts to prove it, so don't ask us for loans. Get jobs! We have them. Try it and you might like it (not so much the work as the money).
5. Curfew is negotiable, but try not to be late too often because it could go either way.
6. Tell us where you are going. GOOD GRIEF! I am way older than you, and I still tell my mother where I am going when I am at her house. Leave us a note or try to form words describing where you are going while we are in the room with you. Honestly, we don't bite unless provoked.
7. You know how to use a phone. Some of you even have cell phones. We like to hear your voice if you are going to be late. You can use a phone to find out what's for dinner, to let us know you made it to wherever all right, or just to
let us hear your beautiful voice.
8. No food in your room, the living room, the bathroom, or anywhere in the house other than the kitchen or dining area
EVER! How many times do we have to say this?
9. You do not contribute financially in any way, shape, or form to this household, so try to pull your weight in other ways: Clean something, put something away, surprise us by doing it before we ask. Otherwise, you may find yourself
financially supporting yourself on the OUTSIDE of this house.'
The one thing I find lacking in this "teenage etiquette" above is the absence of spiritual direction. How would you have worded that rule? Maybe along these lines: "In this house God is honored, Jesus is loved and obeyed and the Holy Spirit is our indwelling guest. All activities will revolve around that precept. We'll be regular in our church attendance (that means YOU, too) and we will read the Bible at our regular daily devotionals where YOU will be present, and we will be a household of prayer. Never forget: God is central and rules supreme here."
Children are a blessing from the Lord. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. But, by all means, let us not receive them from God and then turn them over to the Devil. God won't like that! Nor will we when that great and final day will have come. Let's work together to smooth the way for our children and our grandchildren to the throne room of God.
Love you all,
Al--"the Horne of Africa."