Easy Does It!

I was sharing with my kids the other day that when I was growing up, remotes did not exist, and that actually, I was the remote for a TV with only four channels. My oldest stared back too stunned to speak. The middle daughter replied, “You didn’t have a remote?” My oldest son piped in “How did you ever turn on the TV?”, and the baby just laughed.

Often I forget how much my kids seem to be missing out growing up in a dummed down “Easy does it” society.   Don’t believe me that our kids have it easy-too easy? That they are lacking in hard work and motivation? Let’s take a quick glance down the aisle of the American Society in present time….

Thirsty? No problem, we have bottled water, pop or soda, sports drinks at just about every ideal location throughout the Nation. Need to take something to a party, or just want a snack? Walk in to any grocery or convenience store and find the perfect bucket of potato salad, coleslaw, or any other pre-packaged snack you like. They come in small, medium, large, and now…. mini. Thinking of doing some baking? You have yes…more choices….bake it from a pre-packaged mix/dough or pick it up already done.

Forgot where France, Germany, or even China are on a map? No worries… GoogleMap will help you out. Need to use your brain to remember something such as how to count back change? No problem…’Google It!’ Why use your brain when the answers are all online for you anyways?

Now, before I go much farther, I need you to understand that I too have enjoyed each one of these conveniences and there is nothing wrong with them. God has allowed each and every advancement that we have in society today, but the concern I have is the attitude of laziness drizzling down into the American mentality specifically in our youth.

We no longer have a nation of young people who are willing to do what it takes to get the job done because they believe that the job should take care of itself. After all, they know nothing of a society without instant answers or 24/7 Internet access. The “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” motivation that was the root of the American Society has morphed into a new slogan “It’ too far.” (Said with a whiny voice) In other words, if the task seems impossible in the eyes of the youth, it is too far for them to accomplish and even more so, they are not even willing to try for fear of failure.

Solomon, the richest and most intelligent king in history recognized the same problem that we are dealing with today and as a parent, he addressed the issue in the Book of Proverbs. Our children need to understand the outcome of a life with an ” easy does it”, “I don’t do hard work because it’s too hard” perspective. These words of wisdom are words that need to be heard by our children and played out in their lives before the next generation is Googling “How to perform open heart surgery” during the operation. The youth of this Nation need a change of heart and mindset before it’s too late.

How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”– Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.-Proverbs 6:9-11

“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” –Proverbs 10:4

The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.-Proverbs 13:4

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.-Proverbs 19:15

More words of God’s wisdom can be found in His Word-The Bible