Proverbs 6:20-24
Through six chapters this has been the main point to the son, keep your
father's commandments, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
"My
son, keep your father's commandment and forsake not your mother's
teaching. Bind them on your heart
always; tie them around your neck. When
you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and
when you awake, they will talk with you.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs
of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from
the smooth tongue of the adulteress."
My question is how is a young child going to be taught without a dad,
and if not taught how will he know to keep the commandments of God or man? Sure the mother plays a vital role in her son’s
development, but she cannot be the dad, every boy needs to grow into spiritual
manhood.
Let me address the church, how many parents by their actions have told
their boys that select sports are more important than learning about God and
obeying His commands? Yes, I just moved
over the line, but it is a line the church has been silent about, yet you get
the applause of the world for they knew you were acting religious. If you are
doing this you need to ask yourself some questions, a good one is how much time
I’m talking to my sons and daughters about what God has shown me in His
word? Or how about this, how often are
you taking time to teach them the ways of God, not send them to youth group,
but do what God has commanded you as a dad to do?
If your answer is I'm sharing and doing both of those questions you asked,
then how do you explain to your sons and daughters this commandment found in
Hebrews 10:25, "not neglecting to meet
together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the
more as you see the Day drawing near."
I do not believe God is referring to select sports in Hebrews
10:25, for He must be the object of our worship!
Let me share John Mark's story; he is my oldest grandson and a
fantastic athlete. The head coach in the
High School told his parents that unless he played summer ball and was on a
select team no way was he going to play high school baseball. At fourteen John Mark was throwing a ninety
mile fastball and was a fantastic third baseman and very good with the
bat. But in his freshman year without
doing what the coach said was required to play High School baseball, he not
only was on the team but a starter on JV1, also the following year. His granddad told them no coach turns down
talent and I was right on, but guess what John Mark was pitching a game, and in
the second inning, he grabs his arm and walks off the field. He had torn a ligament, and it would require
surgical graft procedure, called Tommy John surgery. My dreams were to watch him play college ball
and maybe pro ball, but that is not the plan God had for John Mark.
After the second visit with the surgeon, he was told there were no
guarantees that he would ever have the same arm again. John Mark asked this question; If I do not
have the surgery will I still be able to fly fish? The surgeon told him it would only effect
being able to throw a ball hard, and his mother said, John Mark said we’re out
of here, and has never regretted that decision.
I told you that story for a reason, if your kid has the talent he will
do fine without all the output of cash and travel. If he does not and is only marginal it
matters not how many select teams he is on, he is not going to play even high
school ball at a large high school, and few of these kids get to play college
ball, and very few of the college players get into professional ball. So invest in your child by seeking first the
kingdom of God, and all they need will be there for them.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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