Do you love your children enough to die for them? Most of us do.
But, there is a better question than, “Do you love your children enough to die for them?” The better question is, “Do you love your children enough to say ‘no’ to them?”
It can be tough to say, “no.” There have been times as a father that I have said “no” to something one of our children wanted to do in order to protect him or her. And, on a few occasions, that child would let me know that he or she was not pleased with me for denying the request.
At such times here is what I tell my children. I find that giving this little homily is beneficial both to me and to them.
My goal is to protect you. If protecting you means having you upset with me, so be it. I love you enough to die for you; Given that I would die for you – – you being upset with me is a relatively small thing in my world.
Proverbs 13:24 says, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” Truly loving your children means saying “no” even though they may be upset with you afterward. After all, that’s a relatively small thing in your world – -right?
Hi Chris – thanks for the mention. I hope we can meet face to face sometime – if you are ever in the Baltimore – Washington area please let me know – I’d love to come see you. I’ll do likewise if I’m ever in your neighborhood.
Oops – wrong entry on that last comment – sorry about that.
David, thanks for stopping by. I would love to meet with you in person, and there is a possibility that I will be out that way at some point.