Thursday, June 7, 2007
The Lesson of the Rose Bush
In the garden was a beautiful hybrid rose bush. It's blossoms were something to
behold. Not wanting to spoil its beauty, the caretaker left the plant to itself. He
didn't prune its branches and cut off the dead blooms, nor did he give it the proper
nutrients. It was only a matter of time that the plant became an unruly tangle of
branches with poorly formed blossoms. It brought shame to its caretaker.
In a home was a beautiful child, full of talent--a parents' dream. However, the
parents left the child to himself not wanting to impose their ideas and morals. They
withheld correction and discipline for fear of bruising his tender spirit. It was only a
matter of time that the child became unruly and a misfit. He brought shame to his
parents.
Wisdom from the Book
The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings
shame to his mother.
Proverbs 29:15
He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him
disciplines him promptly.
Proverbs 13:24
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
Proverbs 17:25
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction
will drive it far from him.
Proverbs 22:15
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