DON'T BE CAJOLED

"Initiative is doing the right thing without being told." - Victor Hugo

It's a common thing in this 21st Century, to be "so busy", that we neglect to do certain important things. Sometimes, we wait till we lose these "important things" to realize, we shouldn't have neglected them in the first place. These "important things", could be friendships, family, or even parents. "No man", they say, "is an island".

An elderly man in Oklahoma calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 45 years of marriage...and that much misery is enough!" "Dad, what are you talking about?" the son yells. "We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old dad explained. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!". Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this." She calls her elderly father immediately, and screams at him, "You are not getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, you hear me?" she yelled as she hung up the phone. The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay", he says, "it's all set. They're both coming for Christmas and paying their own air-fare."
Do you have to be cajoled, to do the important things in life? It's true that we all need our space in life. We all need to live away from certain people and grow up; it's good to do so many of these things. If we search well enough, you'll find that the Bible says, "not neglecting to meet together, as some people do..."

We cannot always be with family, and parents (for those that work and are away from family), but we can make out time; once in a regular while to be with family. In my opinion, it's good for your health. Remember, when all else crumbles. When the rubber hits the road. When life's punches knock you out, who will you run to? Family. Take out time, this season visit with parents and family. You'll not always have them around...use the opportunity you have today; don't be cajoled.