Today’s Thought “Generations to Come” G.Ward

“Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way. ² Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, ³ and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, ⁴ but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:1-4

 

Many of our parents did their best in presenting traditions that ultimately produced social and spiritual disciplines in our lives. In times past, very little explanation accompanied these disciplines presented; we knew however that expediency should follow the command, or corporal punishment would.

We now embrace a season of great defining; that is, parent to children. Young people demand hearing “why” when any decision is rendered. Moreover, the dinner or breakfast table is that decorative piece that accentuates a room within a home. Rarely are entire families seated together and children are baffled when the Lord’s Prayer is recited, or even witnessing a prefacing, cousins of mine utilized before eating, “Jesus Wept.”

Howbeit, that generations prior, total obeisance without question was demanded, yet produced far more productive citizens? Even when educational pursuits ceased after high school, young people ascribed to varied trades or the work force.

 I recall the emptiness in neighborhoods on Sunday mornings (particularly at the church hour), because the predominance of families attended worship services. Furthermore, Saturdays, was a day of preparation for Sunday. Dinners were delicately prepared on Saturday so when services were over, you could eat. For those of us with bottomless pits, food was so substantial, eating was an all-day event. There were some un-churched, but they were silenced and their total introversion proved so until after worship services, due to their embarrassment in not considering the status quo.

Perhaps some anthropologists would regard this as a limitless era for young people, because communication appears more concise and considerate than days of old? I, like some other geriatrics, exacerbate the notion that says, “Nowadays, young people have much book smarts, but no common sense!” Happy Tuesday!