AUGUST 3

Proverbs 6:20

“Jeff! Stop playing that video game!” Mom’s voice was stern. “Where did you get it? It’s full of shooting, murder, and all kinds of evil. Turn it off.”

“Come on, Mom,” complained Jeff. “It’s the most popular game around, and everyone’s talking about it!”

“Sorry, Son. Not in this house,” Mom said decidedly. Despite grumbling, Jeff did as he was told. As he angrily left the room, he heard his mother’s familiar words, “I’m only thinking for your good, Jeff.”

“I know what’s good for me,” Jeff muttered as he shut his bedroom door. His small dog, Lion, was lying curled up at the foot of the bed. Seeing his dog reminded Jeff of something else he didn’t like. Dad had told him they would have to get a chain for Lion and keep him tied up when he was outside. Jeff sighed. Lion was going to hate being tied up.

When Dad came home from work, he had a collar and chain with him. “Here you go, Jeff,” he said. “You can fasten this chain to the clothesline. Lion will be able to roam quite far that way.”

Just as Jeff expected, Lion did not like being tied up, and he struggled to break free. He yelped and ran in circles, round and round and round. At last Jeff gathered his dog up in his arms. “Please try to understand,” he pleaded. “If you’re running loose, you’ll be picked up by the dogcatcher and maybe I’ll never see you again. Trust me, Lion, I’m only thinking for your good.”

Jeff suddenly realised he was repeating his mother’s words. He sat there and thought for a moment. She had frustrated him when she told him to turn off the video game because, like Lion, Jeff wanted his freedom. He knew he had acted like Lion-angry and resentful. But I know Mom loves me, too, he thought, and I know that’s why she made me turn off the game.

Thought: Do you have a hard time listening to and obeying your parents?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, sometimes it seems like my parents may not understand me. Sometimes it appears they want to take the fun out of everything. But I know they really mean well when they restrict me from doing things. So help me to obey them and know I must honour them. This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.