PARENTS
A careful parent I ought to be
as my little children follow me
I dare not myself go astray
for fear they will go the same way
I cannot once escape their eye
for what they see they too will try
They think that I am good and fine
they believe in every word of mine
The base in me they must not see
as my little children follow me
I must remember that as I go
through sunny days & winter snow
I am building for years to be
my loving children who follow me
Author unknown
Slightly altered version
For All Parents
I'll lend you for a little time,
A child of mine he said.
For you to love there as he lives,
And mourn when he is dead.
It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty two or three.
But will you, 'til I call him back,
Take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And shall his stay be brief.
You'll have his lovely memories,
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there,
I want this child to learn.
I've searched the wide world over,
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labor vain.
Nor hate me when I come to call,
To take him back again?
I fancied that I heard them say,
Dear Lord, thy will be done.
For all the joy thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may.
And for the happiness we've known,
Will ever grateful stay.
But shall the angels call for him,
Much sooner than we planned.
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
.....And try to understand.
Edgar A Guest
The Child That Follows You
There are little eyes upon you
and they are watching night and day
Their little ears quickly take in
every word you say
There are little hands all too eager
to do every thing you do
Your little children who dream
that they someday will be just like you
You are your childrens ideal
you are the wisest of the wise
In your childrens minds about you
no suspicions ever rise
They believe in you devoutly
holding all you say or do
They will say and do in your way
so they grow up to be like you
They are wide eyed little fellows
who believe you are always right
And their ears always open
watching you day and night
You are always their example
in all that you say and do
They are watching and waiting
to grow up and be just like you
Author Unknown
altered verdsion of Little Chap
A Little Praise
"I got two A's" the small boy said,
His voice was filled with glee,
His father very bluntly said
"Why didn't you get three?"
"Mom, I've got the dishes done"
The girl called from the door.
Her mother very calmly said,
"DID you sweep the floor?"
"I mowed the grass" the tall boy said,
"And put the mower away"
His father asked him with a shrug,
"Did you clean off the clay?"
The Children in the house next door
Seemed happy and content
The same thing happened over there,
But this is how it went:
"I got two A's" the young boy said,
His voice was filled with glee,
His father proudly said "that’s great,
I'm glad you belong to me"
"Mom, I got the dishes done,"
The girl called from the door.
Her mother smiled and softly said,
"Each day I love you more."
"I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said,
"And put the mower away"
His father answered with much joy,
"You've made my happy day"
Children deserve a little praise
For tasks they're asked to do,
If they're to lead a happy life,
So much depends on you!
Author Unknown
I Had A Father Who Talked With Me
I had a father who talked with me
Allowed me the right to disagree
To question, and always answered me
As well as he could-and truthfully
He talked of adventures: horrors of war
Of life, its meaning: what love was for
How each would always need to strive
To improve the world to keep it alive
Stressed the duty we owe each other
To be aware each man is a brother
Words for laughter he also spoke
A silly song or a happy joke
Time runs along, some say I'm wise
That I look at life with seeing eyes
My heart is happy, my mind is free
I had a father who talked with me
As The Twig Is Bent
A little Girl with shining eyes-
Her little face a glow
Said " Daddy, its is almost time
For bible class, lets go.
They teach us there of Jesus' love
Of how He died for all
Upon the cruel cross to save
Those who on Him will call."
"Oh, no, " said Daddy, " Not today.
I've worked hard all this week
And I must have one day of rest
I'm going to the creek
For there I can relax and rest
And fishing's fine they say,
So run along; don't bother me.
We'll go to church some day."
Months and years have passed away,
But Daddy hears that plea no more;
"Lets go to Bible class"
Those childhood days are o'er
And now that Daddy's is growing old,
When life is almost through,
He finds the time to go to church,
But what doe's daughter do?
She says " Oh Daddy, not today -
I stayed up most all night,
And I've just got to have some sleep.
Besides, I look a fright."
Then Daddy lifts a trembling hand
To brush away his tears
As again he hears the pleading voice
Distinctly through the years.
He sees a small girls shining face
Upturned, with eyes a glow
As she says "It's time for Bible class
Please, Daddy, won't you go?"
Anon
Marriage Takes Three
I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go.
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter.
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.
In homes where Christ is first
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.
Peter Tanksley
Love Not Hate
A parent may express their hate
To a child that does not know
The anger is aimed at world or mate
But the child receives the blow
Their tender heart feels at fault
So anger and hate will grow
The parent who does not halt
Will reap the things they sow
Prisons are full of lass and lads
With potentials of princess or king
But hate planted by moms or dads
Is all their hearts will ring
Love lifts young tender hearts
For over this world to soar
So love your child from the start
You'll never need ask for more
Composed by Al Evans 2001
Builders OR Wreckers...
I watched them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town…
With a ho-heave-ho and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and a side-wall fell!
I asked the foreman: “Are these men skilled...?
...the men you would hire if you had to build?”
And he, with a laugh, said, “NO INDEED!”
“Just Common Labor is All I Need!”
“I can easily wreck in a day or two…
what builders have taken years to do.”
And I thought to myself as I went away,
“Which of these roles have I tried to play?”
“Am I a builder who works with care
Measuring life by the rule and square?
Am I shaping my deeds to a well-made plan…
Patiently doing the best I can?
(OR) Am I a wrecker who walks the town…
Content with the labor of “Tearing Down?”
How we build relationships is a very important part of our lives & needs our attention at an early stage. How we relate to our spouse, children, friends our peers, superiors. Relationships could become like Humpty Dumpty they can never be put bach together again.
Author Unknown
A Supposed Friend
Yesterday is a memory
But a memory of what
I would rather forget
But today I cannot
Just one innocent puff
On a rolled up weed
To show my manhood
But it planted a seed
A supposed friend smiled
Saying it won’t hurt
But I lost it all
Including my shirt
The sheepclothed devil
He fools the nieve
He appears as friends
The world to decieve
Remember your parents
Advice when very young
Playing in flowers with a bee
You're sure to get stung
By Al Evans
Drug and alcohol use
very often starts out
innocently with (fake)
supposed friends.
As adults we need to
often remind the young
how this trap occurs.
The Spider and the Fly
"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;
"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there."
"Oh no, no," said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."
"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high.
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
"Oh no, no," said the little fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!"
Said the cunning spider to the fly: "Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little fly; "kind sir, that cannot be:
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"
"Sweet creature!" said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,
And, bidding you good-morning now, I'll call another day."
The spider turned round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the fly;
Then came out to his door again, and merrily did sing:
"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple; there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and purple hue,
Thinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing! at last
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast;
He dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den --
Within his little parlor -- but she ne'er came out again!
And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words I pray you ne'er give heed;
Unto an evil counsellor close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly.
by Mary Howitt (1799-1888)
Today I Taught My Child
When I got mad today I hit my child
For his own good I reconciled
And then I realized my plight
Today I taught my child to fight
When interrupted by the phone
I said tell them I’m not home
And then I thought and had to sigh
Today I taught my child ti lie
I told the tax man what I made
Forgetting cash that was paid
And then I blushed at this sad feat
Today I taught my child to cheat
I smugly copied a cassette
T keep me from one more debt
But now the bells of shame must peal
Today I taught my child to steal
Today I cursed another race
Oh God protect what I debase
For now I fear it is too late
Today I taught my child to hate
By my example children learm
That I must lead in life’s sojourn
In such a way they are led
By what is done not what is said
Today I gave my child his due
By praise for him instead of rue
And now I have begun my guide
Today I gave my child his pride
I now have reconciled and paid
The IRS all that I have made
And now I know that dear youth
Has learned from me the truth
The alms I give are not for show
And yet this child must surely know
That charity is worth the price
Today he saw my sacrifice
I clasp within a warm embrace
My neighbor of another race
The great commandment from above
Today I taught my child to love
Someday my child must face alone
This fearsome undertone
But I have blazed a sure pathway
Today I taught my child to pray
Author unknown