Quote; “I have been accused of being too hard on my sons. I totally disagree. Undisciplined boys become undisciplined men. Undisciplined men are found in prisons, hospitals and graveyards.” - Steve Harvey; comedian, author, actor and television host.

You’ve been around them, we all have. The parent who gazes adoringly at their little boy who is acting like a self-appointed detonated bomb. Using the tenderest tone of voice, they carefully speak to him, “Evan, please don’t do that, it’s not nice. Remember what I was telling you this morning, that a good little boy doesn’t try to cut the tail off of a kitten? And they never throw mud balls in the living room. Please be a good little Evan now, too.”

Good Little Evan doesn’t even bother to look at Mommy as she is talking, and continues to terrorize the other three-year-olds in the room. But instead of jerking her son up and applying some well-aimed knowledge to his backside, she just sighs patiently. She looks at the now incredulous and angry adults around her and proudly says something in the way of, “Only three years old, and already Evan obviously is displaying the ability to be a born leader.” She then scornfully continues, “He simply never just does what he is told without thinking about it. He has a mind of his own.” Tossing her head and smiling smugly, she ends with, “And that, my friends, is the mark of a young man on his way to the top.”

Thirteen years later; Born Leader Evan slouches in and stares defiantly at the judge in charge of the courtroom. His total contempt for any semblance of authority was obvious. Now leading his own neighborhood juvenile gang, he has fulfilled his proud Momma’s prediction years ago. The judge’s decree of three months in juvenile lockup followed by six months of probation changes nothing. Evan remains unrepentant, belligerent and determined to be his own man ... a born leader racing down a very dark road.

Ten years passes. Still a leader, still rebellious and angry, Born Leader Evan is the underground head of the inmates in a State Prison. But now his ‘leadership abilities’ are confined to leading in prison for the next 25 years.

Unfortunately, statistics bear out the very real probability of this story being true in many young people’s lives.

Your kids need firm guidance. They don’t like it, and they will complain bitterly. And tender- hearted, well-meaning but misguided adults will vehemently condemn you for being a firm parent with a strong arm and accurate aim. But just remember, history backs you up. Kids with adults in their lives who give them firm, loving discipline have a much greater chance of becoming successful and productive as adults. And when they have kids of their own, most likely they will be parents who can pass along the same basics of life.

Yes, I very much agree with Steve Harvey. And incidentally, those same teachings for rearing children are found in Scripture.

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