Prevention

John Thomas Oaks - Age, 30 minutes

When John Thomas was a baby we went to visit a friend named Inez.  She taught first grade in a school where I taught music.  It was close to Christmas and I knew that Inez would have her tree up.  John boy was barely walking, and I am pretty sure he was around 13 months old.  The reason I remember that is because I also remember what he had on and that was the age he would have worn that outfit.

Before we left for Inez’s house I told John boy where we were going.  I also told him about the tree.  John thomas started talking at 6 months so by 13 months he was using sentences.  He understood exactly what I told him.

I said “John boy…Inez will have her Christmas tree up and it will have pretty ornaments on it.  You can look all you want.  However, if you are tempted to touch anything, put your hands behind your back.”

To this day, the scene of him standing in front of her tree with his little hands behind his back,  will be forever engraved in my memory.

I got this from my Mother.  She always prepared us BEFORE we went somewhere, as to her expectations for our behavior.  After we were grown she told me that if you prepare a child before the fact, it saves a lot of misery for both the parent and the child.  

We have a book to tell us what our Parent expects of us in every situation with which we are faced.  If we pay attention, it will save a lot of heartache.  It’s called The Bible.