Pure

Fantasy Rose  No. 4 of Russet Rose Series

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Exodus 20:14

The children were visibly embarrassed by this commandment – a curious reaction since they had no clue what it was talking about.  Not a single child could articulate the meaning of this commandment.  They just stared at me or stared at the floor. 

So we talked about marriage – how the wedding was so much more than a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime dress, gorgeous flowers, and dancing until dawn.  Marriage is a declaration and a promise:  I DO love you now, and I WILL love you, for better or worse, no matter what, until we are parted in death.  There are legitimate reasons for marriage to end before that point – in abusive relationships, for example.  But certainly not because I suddenly find someone else I like so much better.

There is that little phrase in the marriage vows – forsaking all others – that tells the tale on adultery.  In marriage, there are no others.  Not lovers on the side, nor friends with benefits, nor, for that matter, meddling mamas and pushy in-laws.  For the children, however, I broke it down into much simpler terms starring themselves:  Andrew and Chandler fall in love and get married.   Andrew works at Phillip-Morris and Chandler works at Coca-Cola.  Chandler meets Tyler at work, and thinks he is so nice, and so gorgeous and so…  If Chandler makes the choice to start a relationship with Tyler, even though she is married to Andrew, that’s adultery. 

Breaking it down even further, this commandment is about keeping your heart pure, and your mind from wandering down the wrong path.  Loyalty, honor, integrity and love are the touchstones of any human relationship - the very core of a happy, long-lasting marriage.

I will respect my husband or wife

And never love another.

That's what God wants me to do,

That's what God wants me to do,

That's what God wants me to do

and I am His child.

(Sung to the tune Bingo)

Life

Mystery Rose  #3 of Russet Rose Series

Thou shalt not kill.

Exodus 20:13

There was no question among the children as to the meaning of this commandment.  God didn’t stutter.  In as plain a language as possible, He said, You will not kill.  The last six of the commandments speak to our relationship with our fellow human beings.  God commands: Do not take a life.  That which we would not want to happen to ourselves, we should not perpetrate on another.

Human life does not appear to have a great deal of value in many corners of our world today.  There are those who will take someone’s life for the $5 in their pocket, for sexual gratification, for their victim’s possessions, or just for the thrill of the “hunt.”  Others will gladly sacrifice your life because you do not believe the same way they do.  Religion has long been the source for wholesale slaughter, as has political ideology.  Some live for death as avidly as others cherish life.

There is no greater gift in all this world than life.  There is no greater tragedy than the taking of a life before its natural time.  Jesus said that He came that we might have abundant life!  I challenged my young friends to look for ways to give life, rather than to take life.  It is a worthy challenge for all of us.

I will never take a life, but give life to all.

That’s what God wants me to do,

That’s what God wants me to do,

That’s what God wants me to do

And I am His child.

[Sung to the tune Bingo]

Honor

Smoky Rose.  #2 of Russet Rose Series

Honor thy father and thy mother,

That thy days may be long upon the land

That the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Exodus 20:12

Honor (än´ər) v. [[ME honour]]

To respect greatly; regard highly; esteem

To show great respect or high regard for;

Treat with deference and courtesy

I did not have to tell the children that this commandment was based at the very heart on the word we had chosen for all the commandments:  RESPECT.  They volunteered this information straight off the bat.  My question to them?  How do you do that?  How do you respect your parents?  These were their answers:

Do what they ask you to do.

Don’t talk back.

Don’t laugh at them.

Don’t disobey them.

Listen to their advice.

Come when they call you.

Don’t give them a hard time.

Watch your mouth!

Remember their birthday.

Be nice!

Parents spend almost every waking hour endeavoring to make their children’s lives a little easier – nicer – brighter – happier.  I challenged the children to take at least a few minutes a day to do something that will make their parents’ lives a little easier – nicer – brighter – happier. 

I will love my Mom and Dad and honor them forever.

That’s what God wants me to do,

That’s what God wants me to do,

That’s what God wants me to do

And I am His child.

[Sung to the tune Bingo]