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Key Bible Verse: A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away (Proverbs 22:15). Bonus Reading: Proverbs 29:17

A friend of mine told me his 14-year-old son was consistently late getting to the car so his mother could take him and his sister to school. After months of threats and promises, this dad finally had had enough. He said, "James, if you aren't in the car by 7:50 in the morning, your mother is going to leave without you. Your bicycle's in the garage."

Sure enough, the next morning James decided to test his parents' resolve. He wasn't there, so his dad told his mother to leave without him. James came down a little after eight o'clock. When he saw that his mother had left, he fussed and fumed for a while, then he got on his bike and rode three miles to school. The next morning—and every day for two weeks—he was late again. During that time he sulked around the house, hoping to elicit his parents' (or at least his mother's) compassion so they'd back down. The dad had to continually reassure his wife that they were doing the right thing, until she finally felt a bit more comfortable with the process.

Now, months later, James is much more punctual in the mornings, but when he's late, you'll find him on his bike, riding to school.

—Rodney Gage in We Can Work It Out

My Response: Do I let my teens cope with the natural consequences of their actions?Tuesday, July 15Tough Love for Teens

Thought to Apply: It is while we are young that the habit of industry is formed. If not then, it never is afterwards. —Thomas Jefferson (third U.S. president)

Adapted from We Can Work It Out (Broadman & Holman, 2002) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Heavenly Father, give me the wisdom and resolve to father my teens for their long-term benefit.

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