Yes, Sir!!

My dearly departed Dad, Reuben, was an Army recruiter in California and Arizona, U.S.A., in the late 1930's, before World War II.  One day, in the 50's, he was telling us children of his about how one young recruit "just didn't get with the program."  This guy just refused to follow the orders of his superiors 100% of the time.  This is 100% unacceptable in the military!  As Dad emphasized, "LIVES DEPEND ON EACH AND EVERY SOLDIER FOLLOWING ORDERS!"  Thus, by not following orders, this recruit endangered the lives of every person in his platoon!

Dad had a plan.  He took the recruit out into the desert.  He ordered him to dig a large hole in the sand.  The recruit confidently took the shovel and began.  He dug for hours in the blistering heat on the Army reservation.  Whatever sand he dug out would shortly be filled in by sand caving into the hole.  Dad watched him dig for hours.  Finally, the recruit admitted to Dad, "Sir, this just can't be done."

Then the recruit added, "Sir, I may be a blockhead but I'm not stupid.  I know what you're trying to do.  I have obeyed your orders.  I will continue to obey your orders.  From now on, I will obey all orders."  Dad believed him and ordered, "Private, you may stop digging and return to your unit."

My parents insisted we respect them and respect all authority.  This was called "OBEDIENCE."  The teacher was always right.  Mom and Dad let us know that if the teacher had to punish us, they would also punish us.  We were really good children and rarely needed punishing from anyone.

I tried hard to raise my children in the same manner, with respect for authority.  But, it was harder.  In the 60's, the colleges were rampant with anti-disestablishmentarianism.  They wanted "to do their own thing."  Many young people dropped out of school and work to join hippie communes.  I was relieved my children were too young to be a part of this defiant drug culture.

Fast forward to 2014: how are children being raised today?  I think it's a mixed bag, with some children seeming to lack respect for anything, even themselves, and others 'sort of' respecting authority.  I am extremely pleased that 100% of my grandchildren respect me 100% of the time!  I'm also pleased to report I'm expecting my 19th grandchild in mid-November!  Praise you, Lord!!

Obedience is still important, respect for authority is still important.  In the end, LIVES MAY DEPEND ON THIS!!

Dear God, You are the Ultimate Authority which we must respect and teach our children to obey.  Give us the strength to insist on doing what is right!