by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is…) Books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or www.patlambchristianauthor.com.

Train up a child…

A True Story of a Father’s Love

Note:  The family in this story wishes to remain anonymous, so the names have been changed.

            Every family has its challenges.  One such challenge came to a family consisting of mom, dad, Justin, Jerry, Jane, and James.  The children ranged in age from age six to age 14.  The children were typically well-behaved and good students except for Jerry, the second son who was in seventh grade.  He was well-behaved, but simply did not like the regimentation of school.  He was smart enough, but he wanted to learn at his own pace and only the subjects he was interested in rather than the required lessons.

            When Jerry received his first report card in seventh grade, his mom had a hard time getting him to let her see it.  Finally he quickly handed it to her just as he was getting ready to walk out the door to school after his dad had already gone to work.  Although it was obvious he had taken great pains to make his forgery look realistic, it was just as obvious that a “D” had been changed to a “B” in two cases. Mom took one look and said exactly the wrong thing, “Boy, are you in trouble.  Just wait ‘til your dad sees this!” 

            Jerry decided not to wait until his dad saw the report card.  His mom left for an out-of-town meeting that day and when dad came home from work, Jerry had run away from home!  

            When mom returned from her meeting on Sunday afternoon, she was greeted with four sad faces.  The other children and their dad had searched all weekend, but could not find Jerry.  Mom, knowing how much Jerry liked trains, suggested looking down by the railroad tracks.  Immediately the other three children ran to look and came back saying that they had found him sitting under the railroad trestle.  Mom wanted to hurry and go get him, but dad told her to wait and let the children go.  He was right.  The children went back and talked him into coming home.

            Mom’s first impulse was to grab Jerry and give him a great big hug, but dad had everyone go to the living room and sit down.  When all were seated, dad began by saying, “Kids, your brother doesn’t love you.  He ran away from all of us and not only that, he took your dog.  If he loved you, he wouldn’t have run away.”  All were stunned and sat in silence.  “Jerry,” he said, “what to you think your punishment should be?”  By this time, a few sniffles could be heard from more than one person.  After some consideration, Jerry admitted that he needed to be whipped with a belt. “How many licks should you have?” dad asked.  Jerry finally decided that ten licks would be appropriate.

            Jerry’s dad looked at each family member, one by one, and asked, “Would you be willing to take some of Jerry’s licks?”  Justin said that he hadn’t been the one who changed his report card or run away, so he didn’t think he should have to take any licks.  Jane agreed to take one or two for him.  James agreed to take one or two for him.  Mom was surprised when she was asked if she would be willing to take some of the licks.  After all, she was a parent!  She didn’t agree to take any licks.

            By this time, there was not a dry eye in the house.  Dad handed the belt to Jerry and said, “Jerry, I will take all ten licks for you!”

            Dad got up, leaned across the back of the chair and insisted that Jerry give him all ten licks.  Of course, Jerry did not want to give any licks and started not hitting hard, but dad insisted that he hit him harder.  It was finally over!

            Ir is debatable whether the right tactics were used.  Perhaps things could have been done to prevent the happening in the first place.  One thing, however, is not debatable. This dad loved his son and wanted to do the best he could for him.

            John 3:16 tells us that there is a heavenly Father who loves us so much that he gave his only son to “take our licks” for us on the cross of Calvary.  

            Isn’t it wonderful to have a father’s love?