The Essay

Sometimes children and parents clash, especially during the teenage years. 

I heard about a young man who had an argument with his mother one morning.  What the argument was about doesn’t matter.  Mom should have had the last say.   As the parent, he should be abiding by what she said, right? 

The young man thought otherwise.  He ended up disobeying her.  He thought he knew more than she did.  I can admit I used to feel like that as a teenager.  I think many of us go through that stage. 

The discussion was quite heated.  He said horrible things to his mother.  By the time he got home, his dad was waiting for him.  His parents took his car keys away from him for a month.

The boy was sullen for several days.  He didn’t speak to his parents and only came out of his room for meals.  His mom dropped him off at school every day, and they rode in silence. 

One day at school, the teen’s class was given an assignment.  Everyone had to write an essay about the last time they were angry.  

The teenager couldn’t wait to get home and start writing his essay!  He was still angry with his parents.  When he got home, he went straight to his room.  He noticed the dirty clothes he left on the floor that morning were washed, dried, and folded neatly on the bed.

He sat down and started to write.  Oh boy, he was really going to get his mom!  But then he heard her working in the kitchen as she prepared supper.  

“Better get back to writing,” he thought.  “She was totally unfair to me last week.”   He wrote furiously.  He was about halfway through his essay when he heard his dad’s car in the driveway. 

Looking at his watch, the boy realized his dad was an hour late.  He was working a lot of overtime these days. 

Mom called him for supper.  When he got to the dining room, he saw what a nice meal his mom had prepared. Dad asked about school.  He told them he had an essay due tomorrow. 

After supper, Dad stood up and said, “I’ll help your mom with the dishes tonight.”  He smiled and went on, “Go finish your essay.”   Mom smiled too as she headed toward the kitchen. 

When the young man got back upstairs, he tore up the essay he had started.  “I’ve got to start this whole essay over again.” 

“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

Christ above all things - Robin