Earlier today I read a FB discussion on what to do when children playing a game on a tablet, phone, or Wii try to delay obedience with, "Can I just finish this game?" Under a number of good comments containing wise advice, I posted...
this:
Another thing: delayed obedience is a learned behavior and parents are the teachers. As in:
Johnny come. COME, Johnny; come right NOW! Johnny, come.
Did you hear me" I said "COME!" Johnny, if you don't come by the time I count to ten, you'll wish you had! Johnny! Johhhnnnyyyy! I'm serious. Come!
Johnny, I'm counting! I've started counting. Johnny, listen to me: "One." Did you hear me? I said "ONE!" ONE!! Johnny ONE!!! Two. I said "TWO" Johnny. TWO!
Three! Johnny, did you hear me—THREE!!!!!! Four!! Johnny FOUR!!!"
Children who don't obey until their father has counted to ten do not obey until their father counts to ten because their father has taught them not to obey until he's counted to ten.
Tim serves Clearnote Church, Bloomington, Indiana. He and Mary Lee have five children and big lots of grandchildren.
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