George and Liz Hunt were starting to enjoy the fruits of success. After years of hard work, they now had a beautiful home in an exclusive suburb of Houston. Their four kids were doing well in school, so they thought they had it made.
But gradually they noticed a change in their oldest son, Paul. At times he seemed drunk, but they never smelled alcohol on his breath. They began finding what they thought was drugs in his clothes. Paul was hanging with a rough looking group of kids, and soon his own appearance changed. He gradually became dirty and sickly looking.
One morning when Paul was in the shower, his dad yelled to him that he was going to move his car out of the driveway. Just as George was unlocking the door, Paul flew out of the house dripping-wet, and pushed his dad aside. He grabbed a baggie filled with drugs and jumped out again. Right there in front of the whole neighborhood, George Hunt started beating on his son with his fists. But Paul was able to get away and raced naked into the woods.
What does a parent do?
A concerned, but direct approach can do wonders. It can also be costly. After Paul Hunt ran off naked into the woods, a few days later his father confronted him at home. He told his son to enroll in drug therapy or leave the house. His son left. Thanksgiving came and went. So did Christmas. But Paul finally saw the truth in what his parents said. He was admitted to a hospital program and eventually kicked his habits. If his parents had not confronted him in love, he may never have changed. Trying to beat it out of him wouldn’t have worked either. It was their love and firmness that persuaded him.
You may know someone who is headed for trouble. Maybe it’s nothing drastic, but it doesn’t honor God. Do you have the guts to do something about it? Some people complain that the schools are too lax, or the church doesn’t get on people’s cases like it used to. But should it? The Christian way has always been to try and persuade the other person one-on-one. Get involved in other’s lives before it is too late!