Some years ago a friend of mine was driving by my house and as he drove by he said he saw my four year old son running from our house towards the road. At the same moment my oldest son, who was seven, saw him running towards the road and either recognized the danger or just knew that they weren’t allowed to go out on the road. So he bolted after him.
Common sense would tell you to catch up to the little 4 yr old boy, grab him by the shoulders and turn him around and walk him back to the house right?
Well, what actually happened was… my oldest ran after his younger brother and just as they both neared the end of the driveway he leapt into the air and tackled him.
Pursuer and prey concluded the brief run in a heap. But when they got back up instead of tears and fighting they both just got up and turned around and ran back to the house.
As a father I try and not mess my kids up too much. But before I had kids I promised myself that my kids would be tough. So If my oldest had some minor scrape or bruise I never showed any sympathy. I didn’t want him to be one of those kids who constantly whine or just cry to get attention.
Unfortunately, as he grew up I realized the result of this half-baked strategy was that I now had a boy with a high pain tolerance and basically zero empathy. This is a frightening combination. Once I realized my mistake, of course I changed my approach but most of all I'm thankful to God that he has grown up to be a mature and considerate young man.
I reminded him of this story when he turned fourteen and encouraged him to not lose this reckless concern for his siblings and hopefully they will understand that he cares about them even if he has to tackle them.
Metaphorically speaking of course.
My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; - Prov 3:11
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