A Look at One Story
Yawning, he stretched his legs out, reached his hands beyond his head, and slowly took a deep breath. A small sinking feeling snuck into his stomach as he lay there wiping the sleep from his eyes. Sunlight was pouring in from his window, and he wondered what time it was. He turned his head over to the nightstand, saw his half-empty can of Bang, and reached for his alarm clock. It was 12:30PM.
“Last night was fun”, he thought to himself. He and his friends had spent the better part of the evening and morning clashing on their favorite video game. He couldn’t remember exactly when he had fallen asleep, but it was somewhere around the 4-5am hour. This was his routine at least 5 nights a week. Online school was something he did to check the box, but he really lived for the night, when he would retreat into his room after a half-hearted attempt at conversation with his family at dinner, put on his headset, grab his computer, and kick into gaming mode. It was something he had done for as long as he could remember. It was something his brother had taught him to do. It was an activity that seemed to keep him connected with all his friends. He lived for the competition, the strategy, the cunning, and the acclaim these games afforded him. What would ever change? Why would he ever change?
A Look at Another Story
The alarm clock sounded. Stunned, he reached over and hit the button to keep it from waking his brother up. Wiping his eyes, he sat up in bed. “Man, it’s early,” he thought to himself. The alarm clock glowed its red numbers: 5:31AM. It was his time to wake up. Ever since he could remember he had responsibilities around the house before he started his schoolwork. In addition, football season was about to start, and he needed to complete his daily workout routine before he headed to his piano lessons. Used to, his dad would come in and wake him up. But that was years ago. He had been up on his own getting dressed at the 5:30AM hour for years now.
He stretched his hands over his head as he sat there on his bed looking out the window as the moon gently silhouetted the trees in their yard. The sky was clear. The stars were out. It looked like there was a gentle breeze blowing through the trees. He took a deep breath, yawned a little, and felt a sense of excitement in his stomach as he pushed himself up off the bed and headed for the closet to get dressed. What awaited him was something that seemed a burden at first, but once he understood its purpose, it no longer weighed him down. Sure, he complained now and again, but it was mainly about the heat or the elements that caused him some consternation. Otherwise, he was a full-hearted worker, ready and willing to contribute to his family, to his team, and to his musical interests in any way he could.
The First Story Continued
He walked into the kitchen, and his mom was cleaning up lunch. His younger siblings had already eaten and were now going about their afternoon activities. The chair looked comfortable at the dinner table, and so he slumped into it and looked at his mom. She glanced over at him and asked how he slept. The response was short, “good.” His head was aching a little, and his anxiety was starting to rise. “Would you like something to eat?” “Yes,” he responded. Quietly, she made him his favorite sandwich, got him his favorite chips, and poured a big glass of milk for him to drink. She sat it down in front of him, and he nodded in her direction. She walked back to the kitchen sink and continued cleaning up lunch from her other children.
“Your dad is coming home a little early from work today,” she said while looking down at the dishes. “He is probably going to need some help with the fence,” she slowly got out her words. “Maybe you could offer to help him? By the way, I bought you more of those Bang drinks you like. I put them in the back of the fridge,” she said. “Why does dad need to come home early? Doesn’t he have enough to do at work? He’s always trying to fix things around here, but they just get worse. He’s been working on that fence for weeks, and the dogs just keep getting out,” he commented. “I know, honey,” she replied solemnly. “He has been working on that fence for a little while, but it needs to be done and money is tight for us right now.” “Yeah, but…Yeah, but can’t he get a better job? Why does he keep working there anyway? We’re always having to fix something around here. Why can’t we just get a better house or a better yard?” “Are you done with your plate?” she said. “Here, let me take that for you.” He pushed his plate toward her with his half-eaten sandwich, drank his milk with one gulp, sat it down, and let her pick up his cup and carry it to the sink as well.
He sat back in his chair, and a sinking feeling came over him again. He was just ready to get through the day. The evening was about to be here, and that meant syncing up once again with his friends. “I wonder what they’re doing right now?” he thought to himself. “My head hurts,” he said through mumbled speech. “What did you say, honey?” his mom asked. “I said, my head hurts,” he jarringly responded. “Oh, I’m sorry, dear. Why don’t you take an Aspirin and lay down?” she said. “But don’t forget, your homework assignments are due in less than week for your online classes. You have been doing so well, and you just need to try your best to finish strong,” she said in an encouraging tone. “Yeah, I know. Thanks for the reminder, mom,” he said in a snarky tone. He pushed his chair back, stood up, and walked out of the kitchen. He plopped down on the coach and thought to himself, “Why does he have to come home early and make me work on that stupid fence? Couldn’t he have fixed that thing already? Come on.” He leaned back, the sinking feeling, the anxiety coming over him, and sighed. Just then, his phone dinged. A “like” on his Twitter feed. He quickly opened it up. It was his old girlfriend. She commented on his new socks he just bought. But she sort of made fun of them. People are starting to put smiley faces on the post. “Do they not like them?” he thought to himself. His anxiety spiked. His head hurt. “Mom, can you get me that Aspirin?”
The Second Story Continued
He put his work clothes on, tied up his boots, and walked into the kitchen. His dad was already at the kitchen table with his Bible, journal, and commentary open in front of him. His dad had made himself a cup of coffee, and there was a piece of toast with peanut butter eaten and pushed to the side. And so, now he poured himself a cup of coffee, toasted some of his own bread, and spread some peanut butter on his toast as well. He sat down at the table across from his dad, opened his Bible to the book of Proverbs, and read the chapter corresponding to the day of the month. He didn’t understand everything, but he was gleaning bits of Truth bit by bit. He slowly sipped his hot coffee as he read. Today talked about the ant and the sluggard. He continued reading:
“Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.
How long will you lie down, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
“A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest”—
Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.”
Proverbs 6:6-11
He looked over at his dad. This was a man of character. Never did he hear him complain about his circumstances. Rarely did he speak in a cross way to him, to his other children, or his wife, and when he did he asked for forgiveness and sought to bring peace in their home. Certainly, there were times when he was firm, but they had a purpose. When he said he would do something, he always did it with excellence. He looked down at his Bible, and thought to himself, “My dad is the man I want to be.”
They both finished about the same time. His dad offered to pray for their day. And after praying they headed outside to start the day accomplishing their responsibilities. He knew it would be a good day. After his morning chores, his dad would leave for work. His job was not far but required a lot of him. He knew he could help lift some of the burdens his dad bore if he too worked with excellence around the house. And so, he did. There in the stillness of the dark, moon-lit morning, he went about his duties with delight. He was honoring his dad, he was honoring God, and he was laying a foundation for his life that would carry him through high school, college, and ultimately marriage and family. He thought about his dad with the utmost respect. He loved his family, and he was glad to chip in and contribute where he could.
The Lesson
Our age is producing many kinds of men and women. I’ve just described two distinct scenarios. Both are full of potential. Both need Christian discipleship. Both need a biblical vision. However, one is off to a better start. And the other has a lot of catching up to do. That’s why I’m writing this book.
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— September 23, 2021