What Are You Passing On?

You'd better keep your outside lights on tonight! Why? Tonight is what is commonly referred to as "Mischief Night." Most common in the Northeastern U.S., Ireland, England and Canada, it is a night when young people play pranks on their neighbors. These pranks include soaping windows, ringing doorbells and then running away and "T-ping" (taking rolls of toilet paper and draping the TP over trees and houses) - and a list of other things (unfortunately sometimes these pranks can and do get out of hand!). Where and why this practice originated - I do not know (I did a brief scan of Internet info and found it to be somewhat confusing concerning the origin of this practice). So all this to say - keep your outside lights on tonight and it should keep would be pranksters away!

Why do young people get involved in these things? Is it something that is taught in school? No. Rather younger kids hear about it from older kids who heard about it from their parents. In other words, this tradition of "Mischief Night" has been passed down from one generation to the next. And what is true of "Mischief Night" is also true of many things. Values, beliefs, practices -- all get passed on from one generation to another. There is nothing wrong with this ... as long as what is being passed on is good stuff.

So if you are a parent ... let me ask you, "What are you passing on to your children?" I hope you are passing on the things that matter - values, beliefs, standards, and priorities that are based solidly on the teachings of the Bible. Along with your spouse, take some time to answer this question. The welfare of your kids is on the line. Because if they don't get God's way from you - WHO will they get it from?

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj