By Harold Keller-Get High on Life

When we think of child abuse, what immediately comes to our mind is sexual, physical or mental abuse. I want to talk about another abuse of children that will damage a person, but we very seldom address it. The abuse I am speaking of is the failure to discipline our children to respect the value of material things. We think that if we give them everything they ask for, we can buy their love.

I ran into a friend of mine at the courthouse last week. We don’t see each other very often, so we naturally talked about politics, the weather and our families. He proudly stated that he was now a grandfather. “How many grandchildren do you have?” I asked. “Only one,” he said, with the biggest smile I had ever seen. “I’d do anything for him. Do you know what I did last week?” Before I could ask, he continued, “I brought him to Wal-Mart and as we entered the store, I told him he could buy anything he wanted. I didn’t care what it cost.” “Isn’t that stupid?” he added. “Here is a little one-and-a-half-year-old and I’m telling him to buy anything he wants and I really mean it.” We spoke for awhile and I agreed that it was not the best way to treat a child.

Can I relate to him? You bet I can. Do I know better now? Yes, I do. Experience has helped me to realize that buying one’s love is impossible.

The greatest book ever written on how to raise children is one most people never read – the Bible. It’s full of wisdom on any issue in life and has the answers to all life’s problems.

When it comes to raising children, it is specific. It says that you are to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he shall not depart from it.

Children can be very rebellious. They need discipline. The Bible also says that if we spare the rob, we spoil the child. I know the majority of people will have trouble with this advice. Be reminded that these instructions were written more than 2,000 years ago. In my short lifetime, I can testify that if these instructions are carefully followed, with love, they are guaranteed to work.

To my friend, the new grandfather, I do not doubt your love. I only suggest that you show it in different ways.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational organization. Call 652-8477 or write to P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084.