Raising them right.

"Don't do as I do, do as I say."

I heard that a time or two as a child growing up.

I used that line a time or two as a parent.

In either case, the quote is horrible in that it rationalizes bad behavior of one trying to hold another person accountable. It's actually hypocritical!

Today, we were able to visit a large sporting goods store in Hamburg, PA. If you want to get exercise, see interesting things....and people, and if you have some expendable income, then this place is a good stop. As we came out of the store we saw this.

At first blush, it looks like two young ladies are exploring the huge statue of the Native American and the Pioneer perched in a canoe. The display is really poignant. It binds together the sisters and brother of the Indian nation and our ancestors who came to America. On at least three or four different locations around this display are signs clearly warning all guests to stay off the statue. Reasons to obey these signs are several. The most important of these would be that a fall from this statue could easily cause a concussion or worse still a spinal injury.

At second blush, we could say, "Well, kids will be kids." Yes, having been a former kid, I can easily say I have done dumb things. It wasn't because my parents were negligent. It was because I was rebellious. I was definitely taught right from wrong. In any case, if the mother standing in front of this statue had been my mother, well, let's just say, I would not have gotten on the thing in the first place. Here in broad daylight, with little concern for her daughter's safety, this mom almost looked gleeful and celebrative as her kids climbed to the top.

Today's event reminds me of the pictures of children and adults splashing around in the monument pools in our nation's capital that were designed and built to honor our soldiers killed in wars. Respect must be taught. It doesn't come naturally. Humanity by nature is generally self absorbed. I can only imagine the heartache this mother would experience had her kids fallen to the concrete. Would she have filed lawsuits against the store? This is conjecture on my part, but a possibility to consider.

"Train a child in the way he (she) should go, and when he (she) is old he (she) will not turn from it."

(Proverbs 22:6, NIV) [Emphasis added]

Let's honor God and honor those around us by simply respecting each other. Let's read signs that tell us how to behave; then follow them. When you see a veteran, walk to them and thank them for their service. When the Star Spangled Banner begins to play, stand up and remove your cap. Hold doors for people. Let's change the broken world in which we live by following the good words found in Proverbs 22.