A two-year old fell on the floor in the grocery store kicking and screaming when her mom told her, "no, you cannot have that candy".  Much to the surprise of the two-year old, the cashier and other shoppers, the mom* promptly fell to the floor kicking and screaming.  The two-year old jumped up and stomped her foot, "stop, you 'm-bare-us-in me!"  That two-year old never threw another tantrum in public.

Where did the child get such an idea?  She had seen it at a day care she went to only two days a week.  And an adult had given in to a child’s tantrum. The adult wanted it to stop and took the easy way out.

Two teens bickering in the amusement park are stunned by their mom* stopping and disco dancing right in the fairway.  "STOP MOM, that is so embarrassing".  Mom: "YOU TWO are embarrassing me, turn about is fair play!"

Oh, that is so embarrassing. Are your kids embarrassing you? Are you ashamed of them? They know better, you taught them better, right from wrong. Do they not realize they are a reflection on the family.  Do you take the easy way out?  Boys will be boys?  You know girls these days?  Or, do you stop them?  Where do they get these ideas? Everywhere.  You are on 24/7 watch and correct.

Sometimes you want to just deny they are yours.  Maybe they are trying to be disassociated from the family, they do not want to 'belong'.  It is not right, they do not know what they are disclaiming.  Hopefully, one day they look back and realize how good their family was and is, and they start to reflect good on the family and not be an embarrassment. Every parent wants to point to their child with pride.  you cannot give up.  You keep pointing them in the right direction.  Ask God to help you choose the right words.

Matthew 26:34 HCSB “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!””

Peter was afraid if they knew he was with Jesus, they would take him too.  Jesus knew Peter would deny Him.  It took Peter those three crows to figure out what he was doing. There was a price to being in the family with Jesus.  He had to wake up to that and decide if he was going to pay the price.  Jesus chose the right words, “three crows, three denials”.  Look at your child’s path, tell them where they are headed.  Make sure your path is straight as well.  Maybe you are giving them the ideas.

Sometimes, we too need “three crows” to realize and wake up to the fact we are denying Christ everyday, in little ways.   Jesus is pointing them out.  Are you listening for the crows?

There is a price for belonging to the family, His family.  We have to walk, talk and ‘look’ like Him.  People have to see Christ in us.  Sometimes, we are the only Christ a person will see.  What are you doing today that will reflect on Him?

Will you be willing to pay the price, or will you be an embarrassment to God?

*Yes, you got me.  I was that mom (and grandmom if needed).