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Early in the morning on last Saturday, I need to drop off my son to an ACT test at a local high school. Before we left and sitting in the car, I told my son to again check things that he need to bring. He said, “Yes, I did”. While we are half way on the road to the high school, he said, “Dad, I just realize that I brought along a wrong calculator, because the instruction sheet said it has to be TI-xx model.” Tell you the truth I almost went ballistic at that time. I gave myself a deep breath and said slowly with a calm voice, “I thought you checked it already before we left. Now, why this happens?” He gave me a “sorry” look. Then, I continued to say, “Time is cutting close, it is not viable for us to go back home in order to bring the calculator here”. Then, he suggested that we woke up my wife asking her to bring the calculator here while we continued to head toward the high school. I said, “OK, this probably is the only feasible solution and hope she could arrive on time”

This incident teaches me several lessons. I felt parents’ responsibility is never being an easy one – In one hand, we need to train our children to be independent. On the other hand, we also need to teach them to follow instruction truthfully. Then, the work of preparation is very important for any thing to be undertaken. A thorough and detailed preparation would aid your success in any work you want to take. Finally, a back up plan is always good to have.

In recent daily Bible study, we read again the incident of “Moses’ Error at Kadesh – water from the rock”, from the book of Numbers chapter 20. In Moses’ frustrated and anguish condition after listened to so many Israelites’ complaint on top of no drinking water, he forgot God’s instruction – Speak to that rock:

“Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink. 你拿著杖去、和你的哥哥亞倫招聚會眾、在他們眼前吩咐磐石發出水來、水就從磐石流出給會眾、和他們的牲畜喝  (Numbers 20:8)”

Instead, Moses struck the rock twice again in order to bring forth water to feed the Israelites. The error he made caused him to be refrained from entering the land of Canaan – the land of promise by God. What a lesson to read your instruction carefully! If my son had read his instruction sheet of test carefully beforehand, we probably wouldn’t have to scramble around for his calculator.

In addition, Moses’ example also tells us that it is not wise to make any important decision when you are not in your clear mind. He was tired and furious against Israelites’ repeatable complaints. Therefore, he thought God would use the same instruction as last time – to have him struck the rock (Exodus 17).

I am not sure what would happen if I had used harsh word against my son when I find out that he didn’t even read the instruction sheet of test. However, I am glad that I didn’t and in the end, it did work out fine. This reminds me of the book of wisdom – Proverbs – teaches us that, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 回答柔和，使怒消退‧言語暴戾，觸動怒氣‧(Proverbs 15:1)”  Hope I will remember this lesson.

My dear brothers and sisters, if I may, let me ask you, “What is our instruction of life?” It is Bible, right?  Then, what should we do about this instruction? 🙂