What is the next big lesson in a small story going to be?

Today I would like to introduce you to “The I Did That Cat”.

During my career as a counselor and educator I saw way too many problems which were the final result of children not being taught to tell the truth or to accept responsibility for their actions and parents who were eager to blame everyone else for their child’s mistakes and actions. They appeared to have never allowed their child to take responsibility for their behavior. Every problem was another child’s fault, the teacher’s fault, the counselor’s fault, etc. The teacher is an especially good target!

So in the midst of all the change and chaos in the COVID world, my educator daughters were all here with me one day lamenting to each other about these same problems. They were struggling with students not fulfilling their requirements and, unfortunately, were having to deal with many parents who were hindering the problem rather than helping. The basis of the problem was the two things I had seen so many times in the past. Students were not telling the truth, not accepting responsibility for their actions and parents were supporting the bad behavior and lashing out and blaming the teachers who were trying to educate them. That conversation stirred up a lot of memories about my experiences with those same issues over the years.

Consequently, I had a wide range of thoughts related to this subject rambling around in my brain for days. I was praying for a way to send the message to parents to teach your child from an early age that everyone messes up and makes mistakes. When we do, we don’t lie about it or blame someone else. We take responsibility!

This time God did not send me the answer in the middle of the night or early morning like always before. I don’t know why, but this time was different. I will elaborate next time.

Biblical Inspiration: Colossians 3:9 – Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.

Biblical Inspiration: Peter 3:10 – For Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

Biblical Inspiration: Ephesians 4:25 – So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Biblical Inspiration: Numbers 32:32 – But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord and be sure your sins will find you out.

Lesson in a Nutshell: Tell the truth, own up to your mistakes, and take responsibility for your actions.