From Rods To Knees

Her name was Josephine. She would “beat the daylights” (her expression) out of this parson if she knew that her son called her by her first name. That just wasn’t acceptable. As a matter of fact, it was rebukable and most likely “whuppable.” Now that wasn’t a negative term. It was simply an application of the board of correction to the seat of education.

That was when Moms were respected and protected. Any decent son would go to “fist city” if someone made a verbal slur against his Mom. If a neighbor reported an “inconsistency in deportment,” no excuse was forthcoming. You’ve heard them: “Oh, my little boy wouldn’t do that.” If you listen carefully, you can hear her now. “Where is Paul David?” Soon followed by: “Paul David!!” Then, “Paul Daaaaaavid!!!” After the accepted, “This will hurt me more than it will you,” the “rod” fell from a firm but loving hand. “Hurt me more than it will you”? She must have been in some reeeeal pain! A big hug of assurance followed, and she never brought that infraction back up. Oh, “the rod,” that phrase came from a very old instruction book describing how to raise children God’s way. Look around. You will find a copy around somewhere. It’s called “The Holy Bible” (KJV). With a little study you will learn that the word “rod” simply means “limb.” You see, a limb can be graduated according to age and size. Good instruction, and did Mom ever take advantage of it.

By this time you probably are thinking, “Now that was really a problem child.” You are “probably” correct. (No use outright admitting anything; after all, this parson is in control of this blog.) However, Mom’s discipline was no different from 99 and 99/100 percent of the other moms around. And if Mom couldn’t handle it, Dad did. Strange how he was always around at the right time for her and the wrong time for Son. O, yes, teachers and moms were partners in this needful attitude adjustment process. If memory serves correctly, it was the second grade; Mrs. Apple was the teacher. All it took was a phone call after Son did not respond to her board of . . . . Mom appeared “instantly,” and those words that always preceded the personal “board” meeting: “Paul David, come with me,” and the expected response, “Yes, Ma’am.” Outside the open classroom windows? You guessed it. Strange, the urge to stand on the desk chair and make faces at the other kids completely vanished.

That early training, what an imprint! But it was always coupled with lots of love. Mom was ever present when this son was hurting or just needed to share his heart. She made sure that his clothes were clean, his body was clean, and his mouth was clean. And food, how she could cook. Just smell those chocolate chip cookies!

But the greatest and deepest impressions were those early mornings when Mom could be seen on her knees in prayer or studying the precious Word of God. Now the mystery is clear. She loved her son and suffered the pain of correcting him because she loved her Lord and His Word. The reflection of the Savior was ever evidenced in Mom’s everyday life. Faithful she was to share Christ with the unsaved and to give herself as a servant to the brethren. It was at the feet of this dear Mom that this parson first heard of the love of God and of the Savior Who died for his sins. All of them. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, MY LORD and MY SAVIOR!

TODAY? PERHAPS!!!

The Parson