Moms and Dads, the following narrative will make you chuckle, but I ask that you not ignore the truths that are contained within. You are the parent, not a peer. You must make the hard decisions even if the children may hate you for making them. Persevere for their sake. You can be their friend when they grow up, for only then will they understand.

I Had Drug Problems Too!

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question. “Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?”

I replied, “I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.”

Take courage, my friend.

My thanks to the Gulf Region Alliance of Catholic Evangelism, Inc for including this story in their newsletter.