Parental Guidance

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Parental Guidance. It’s sad that the movie industry has confiscated those two powerful words, when really they are such a blessing to every human being who has access to parents who guide.

Last week a friend from college visited from Florida. As we chatted, I mentioned to her the movies that the Kendrick brothers from Albany, Georgia, have made; and Ray and I decided to show her Fireproof. It was good to experience her seeing it for the first time and to see it ourselves for the first time in several years. My emotions were the same as they were the first time I saw it. I was terrified. I laughed. I got all misty.

I love the relationship between Caleb (played by Kirk Cameron) and his father.  Long before Caleb is willing to trust his father’s God, he trusts his dad; and he shows him deep respect. His relationship with his mother is pathetic though until the very end of the movie when he first comes face to face with who she really is — and then face to face with how he has treated his godly and patient mama. His response is to run to her, hug her, and ask for forgiveness. The macho fireman in his mama’s arms, asking for forgiveness — it’s beautiful!

I’m reading a real life story about a son who trusted and respected his dad profoundly (and who adored his mother, too, by the way). It’s one of the many biographies of President Theodore Roosevelt. This weekend I read about when Theodore Jr. goes away to Harvard. All of his family members wrote to him individually, so he received two to four letters from their home in New York every week.

In his early days as a student, his father Theodore Sr. wrote these words of advice: “Take care of your morals first, your health next, and finally your studies.”

The entire book of Proverbs is a father’s advice to his son about taking care of his morals with teachings like these:

My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
Proverbs 1:10

A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:1

A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
Proverbs 15:20

My son, if your heart is wise,
My own heart also will be glad;
And my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak what is right.
Proverbs 23:15-16

Give me your heart, my son,
And let your eyes delight in my ways.
Proverbs 23:26

My son, fear the Lord and the king;
Do not associate with those who are given to change,
Proverbs 24:21

Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches me.
Proverbs 27:11

Rest in your role of parental guidance and relish it. It’s imperative.

Rest and relish, too, as you receive parental guidance — notice that the son in Proverbs 15:20 is a man. We’re never too old to receive parental guidance.

My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
Proverbs 6:20-22

 

 

 

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