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July 4, 2004
Some Good Advice
Reading this week’s entry on Lisa Whelchel's Official Website I discovered that she is worrying over the same things at this time as Kevin and myself. We both have teenage sons and are both worried about important decisions in their lives. We have had this discussion with Andrew, but I wanted to share with you Lisa’s entry. I think she says it all in a fantastic way:
Last week Tucker, Haven and Clancy went to junior high summer church camp. They had a fabulous time and it was a great experience. As is perfectly normal, the presence of lots of pretty girls was a big part of the attraction for Tucker. As a family, we are navigating our way through the “recreational dating” question. Thankfully, we all pretty much agree that the whole junior high “going out” thing is silly, especially considering we wouldn’t actually allow them to “go out” anywhere. Even so, girls are not only much more aggressive than I remember but teenagers are extremely creative when it comes to dancing around the rules.
I was concerned about Tucker and wanted to take him to the Bible to explain my apprehension about him becoming “friends” with girls who obviously had more in mind. I had him read the following chapter from Proverbs.
Proverbs 7 – The New King James Version
My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding your nearest kin,
5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words.
6 For at the window of my house
I looked through my lattice,
7 And saw among the simple,
I perceived among the youths,
A young man devoid of understanding,
8 Passing along the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house
9 In the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark night.
10 And there a woman met him,
With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
11 She was loud and rebellious,
her feet would not stay at home.
12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square,
Lurking at every corner.
13 So she caught him and kissed him;
With an impudent face she said to him:
14 “I have peace offerings with me;
Today I have paid my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you,
Diligently to seek your face,
And I have found you.
16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,
Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.
17 I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a long journey;
20 He has taken a bag of money with him,
And will come home on the appointed day.”
21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,
With her flattering lips she seduced him.
22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare,
He did not know it would cost his life.
24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children;
Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths;
26 For she has cast down many wounded,
And all who were slain by her were strong men.
27 Her house is the way to hell,
Descending to the chambers of death.
As you can imagine, Tucker responded with, “Mom! You are way overreacting. Are you calling my friends harlots?! Don’t worry so much, I’m fine.”
As a mom, I knew he might be fine today but if he didn’t watch his steps and realize where this particular road could lead, he could end up going the wrong direction. So, I paraphrased Proverbs 7 particularly for a junior high boy living in the year 2004.
Proverbs 7 – The Gospel According to Mom
1 My son, keep my words and if you value your life,
2 Keep my commands. My law is the law, don’t ever forget it.
3 Tie a string around your finger or tattoo it on your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister” and call understanding, “Mom”
5 Listen to your mother and sister for they will keep you away from the girls.
6 For from my minivan I looked through the window,
7 And I saw a bunch of junior high boys
And one naïve young man, in particular.
8 Passing along the street near the mall;
And entering through Sears,
9 just after dark, before all the stores closed.
10 And there a girl met him,
Wearing a shirt that revealed her belly button and her heart.
11 She laughed way too loudly and she was rarely at home with her parents.
12 She seemed to turn up everywhere, at the mall, the movies,
hanging out at friend’s houses.
13 So she playfully hugged the young man and gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek.
“With a spunky look she said to him,
14 “I just came from youth group and I played the part.
15 I was hoping to see you there and when I didn’t see you
I came looking for you. I’m so glad I found you.
16 I have fixed up my room really cool.
17 I bought a bunch of good smelling stuff from Bath & Body Works.
18 Why don’t you come over and we can watch some videos and make out.
19 My parents aren’t at home, they are away on a business trip.
20 They won’t be back until Tuesday.”
21 With her convincing innocence, he bought it.
All it took was, “I’ve never met a guy I can talk to like you before” and she had him.
22 He fell for it, hook, line and sinker.
23 Till he felt the hook in his mouth.
As a fish swimming for the worm,
He didn’t know it was a trap until it was too late.
24 Now, listen up kids, and listen up good.
I know what I’m talking about:
25 Don’t even look down that path.
If you don’t want to end up where the road is headed
Then stay on the sidewalk.
26 Girls have been the fall of many a strong Christian young man.
They can lead you away from God and you could end up losing your life – at least the abundant one God has planned for you.
Posted by tami at July 4, 2004 9:59 AM