Proverbs 22:6 — Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
(First of all let me start off by saying that I know this may be a very antiquated view by todays standards.)
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Or at least it feels that way at times. Maybe I’m not remembering things the way they were. Or maybe I’m looking through rose colored glasses when I think on theses thing. Can you believe it boys and men were taught to open doors for ladies? We even opened car doors to help them in and out. The only phone we had was a rotary dial and the line was shared by at least two neighbors. When we talked to our elders (that is any adult), we used the terms yes sir and no sir, or yes mam or no mam and if adults were speaking you were not you were listening.
I can remember my dad saying I get one bad report on you and you’ll not sit for a week. I remember going to the post office and holding doors open for men and women picking up there mail. And carry packages to their car if they needed us to help them and did not expect anything in return. But let me stop for a second and say their are still those out there that teaches respect. Or maybe it was a galaxy a long way off and from a very distant past. The respect I remember was taught for family and country. I don’t see it to often any more from a lot of people. It was not a question would I serve in the military the question was what branch. That was answered in May 1975 when I volunteered for the Marine Corps.
When the flag raised we stood to attention.
And to think of burning a flag was very dangerous: it could get you beat up . Family came first back then: you pick on my little brother or sisters you would have me to deal with. And if you messed with me I was the middle of nine so I think you get the picture.
Back then school was not our favorite place to be like other kids but we were respectful of our teachers and it was our School that we took pride in. But then men were taught to work and take care of your family. I remember when some would would brag on how we acted dad would stick his chest out and say yup thems my boys. And if someone would say I had a problem with your boy in some way when we got home dad taught us better. But now that is called child abuse. I am not advocating beatings there is a difference between a beating and an old fashion spanking. Makes a boy or girl sit up and take notice. But is almost like a fairy tale for some now. Or then again maybe I’m just to old to understand how children are taught now days.
What does this mean for morals and respect also?
1. I think it does I believe as men and women of God we should be teaching in this order: God first, family second, and country third. There is no greater God than our Lord and savior Jesus the scripture below tell us the way to go.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2. Family is second Gods word tell us how we should treat our family.
Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3. Country third
Deuteronomy 28: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out
But like I was saying before maybe this is all in my mind how it used to be. But then again maybe it is that we don’t respect ourselves so how can we be expected to respectful of others when we don’t treat our selves that way. Or maybe you think I am trying to tell you how to be parents not really Im actually telling that as called men and women of God we are to be training not only our children but the young christians who come up behind us.
I pray that this helps you in some way may God Bless You as you learn and grow in him.