Instilling Responsibility

Is this a foreign concept today?  Have we become so “entitled” and lazy as to think we are somehow “owed” a living and all the creature comforts we envision should come along with that?  Who’s minding the store?

Look around and you will see families who handle this issue very differently.  Some are taking care of everything for their children and in the process are creating needy people who may never have the opportunity to be independent or have that confidence that they can actually take care of themselves.  Babying children even into adulthood deprives them of this security and assurance.  Mom and Dad will not always be here to smooth everything over.  Then, what?  We have all witnessed inheritances dwindle away to nothing as the beneficiaries squandered what Mom and Dad worked so hard for and then are left wondering what to do next.  This a disservice to the “child” and also to the society.

But, fortunately, there are also those who recognize the value in teaching responsibility and letting out the rope of independence a little at a time, allowing consequences to fall as the child learns (while still in a safe environment) about reality.

My youngest grandchildren are 7, 5 and 3.  The oldest just finished first grade.  The day after school got out, I received this photo from my daughter-in-law with the caption, “First day of summer break means pulling weeds.”  I was thrilled!  Thank you that my grandchildren have a mom who understands responsibility.  Part of life is dealing with the weeds that crop up. We can all sit back and say, “Gee, I wish somebody would pull those ugly weeds” or we can get up off our lazy behinds and get it done!  Do it all yourself in your household and you create a Prima Dona who expects everything while offering nothing.

When God created the heavens and the earth, He provided the tools we needed to grow crops, to build things, to invent ways to “make life better.”  What if those who came before us had sat around and waited for someone else to cut down the tree to build a house, or had waited for someone else to discover electric current or any number of things we now take for granted?

My 24-year old granddaughter has been on her own since she was 18.  She is now headed to Florida where she has never been and doesn’t know a soul to try living near the beach.  She already has a job lined up and has not asked her dad for any money or help.  She is used to taking care of herself and is free to embark on this adventure.  Had she always had everything done for her, she could not do this.  I pray daily for her safety, but I also marvel at her courage.

To young families out there, please:  teach your children to work and to take responsibility.  To grandparents:  model this behavior and reward any effort in that direction.  And, pray.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord, rather than for men…”  (Colossians 2:23)

“If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”  (2 Thessalonians 3:10)