A Whole New Standard
A few days ago, I went grocery shopping and then stopped by for some snacks (I won’t say what snack, so please don’t ask😁😁😁). I waited for the attendant to approach while I went through some of the things I had bought. Putting up my head, I saw this fellow – jumper zipped down revealing his bear chest – no singlet. His trousers were sagging and the rope belt was untied. As he spoke, he fiddled with his unkempt beard and licked his lips with his tongue sticking out.
I smiled. Told him I was old enough to be his aunt, and definitely wasn’t his mate. Then I rolled my eyes and asked him to zip up immediately. Grudgingly he did it. Then I looked at his hanging belt and simply refused to take my eyes off it. He got the message and pulled up his trousers then tied the rope.
Then I asked him to take a look at himself in the side mirror and he did. Now he was fully flushed and looked towards his feet. I repeated myself again, now with a smile. He looked towards me, avoiding my gaze. Then I said, young man, this is the standard from now on. He nodded. I smiled again. Then I gave my order and he left.
I felt good. The world is turning on its head because we have allowed bad standards and the younger generation is lost in the madness. It is left to us to help guide them back to sanity for their sake and for the sake of generations to come.
Let’s not let these things fly. Correct rudeness. Challenge indecent behaviour. Set them straight. Inspire them to greatness.
It’s our duty. It’s our responsibility. Let’s live up to it! Let’s help lead along the right path and lead by example.
Today I saw a young man looking at me and licking his lips as I bought vegetables. Everything in me wanted to twist his ears! But I changed my mind. Perhaps reaching out to twist his ears wasn’t in my best interest, so I paused, took a deep breath and let it pass.
My point? Wisdom is profitable to direct. Be guided as you try to guide. Don’t put yourself in harms way because you want to guide someone along the right path. Sometimes all you can do is say a word of prayer and trust God to guide and inspire them.
But take action… you must!
Hugs to you, and have a happy weekend too!
Choosing wisdom and restraint often speaks louder than immediate reaction; trusting the process while taking thoughtful action is truly powerful. The last paragraph was spot on.
Blessings.
Thank you Uche. Wisdom is always profitable to direct.
I have often found myself in similar situations, though being of grandma age gives me some locus standi to correct inappropriate dressing and behaviour (In spite of the obvious pouts and guarded eyelid flickering😀).
I do honestly believe that, for whatever seemingly valid or otherwise reason, parents (and other adults) are abdicating their God-given responsibilities, and society is paying a very painful price for it!
When I was growing up, I used to wonder how my parents got to find out how I snuck out of the house while they were out, to go buy ice-lollies from a nearby supermarket. No, they didn’t catch me at it! I later found out that it was the watchful eyes of ‘good’ neighbours who kept ALL children on the straight and right path back then. It certainly wasn’t funny at the time! 🙃 But today, my generation is generally grateful for our disciplined upbringing.
Digital-age or not, God’s command remains forever valid: “Train up a child in the way they should go …”
Indeed, ‘wisdom is profitable to direct’ in every given situation.
But do it, we must! So help us God, in Jesus’ name 🙏
Very well said ma. We cannot give up or give in. This generation is making a mess of their lives and they feel is funky.
I smile when I see those I scolded back in the day turn out well, funny thing is, they keep thanking me for being stern then.
Parents shouldn’t leave their responsibilities because nature abhors a vacuum. That said, we need the community to train a child like you rightly said. Issue is acculturation has set in, and the negative side of social media and the internet cannot be overemphasised.
Thank you ma for your wise words! 🤗