“GOOD NIGHT JOHN BOY”
I have a confession to make, but you gotta promise not to laugh… OK. Yuk it up all you want, it won’t change anything. Ready? … OK, here it is…
I liked the TV show The Waltons as a kid… That’s the one show my mom would watch with us as kids. I didn’t necessarily like the characters or the actors who played them so much. In fact the guy who played John Boy, I think his name was Richard Thomas, was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me at the time.
What captured my mind and spirit was the narrator at the end of each show. The narrator was supposed to be the John Boy character grown up and telling the stories then in the 1970’s from his childhood in the 1930’s.
Each episode would be a struggle or learning lesson from everyday life on Walton’s Mountain. The narrator would reflect back with fondness to his childhood in the dark days of The Depression and share what lessons he and his siblings learned, always based on a moral perspective.
I was captivated by the voice as he summarized “the moral of the story” after each episode. As a kid and now as an adult I try to do the exact same thing. I try to learn from each experience God sets before me.
I think being reminded as a kid that the actions we take during difficult times have lasting effects on our life is an honorable thing. To say I’m a little concerned by the lack of that kind of perspective today would be a gross understatement.
As I consider our society, I look for the people of character trying to pass on to the next generation the values that make people truly great.. I don’t see too much of it.
I see the majority of the adults acting like kids. By adult; I don’t mean acting like stuffy old legalists telling young people to follow the rules… Or else. I mean adults living life for the here and now, celebrating undisciplined and unprincipled lives.
Maybe our society has become so distracted with the luxuries of our lifestyle that we’ve forgotten the things that should matter the most.
I’m as guilty as anyone, my kids have things I never dreamed of when I was their age. Not that “things” are bad in and of themselves. It’s the distraction of those “things” that begin to cause us to lose focus on what truly matters.
As our country once again struggles for an economic recovery, we can see the effects all around us. We have friends and neighbors who’ve lost their jobs and homes.
During these difficult times, the true character of those in distress are revealed. This current economic situation will partially determine every one of us going through its legacy.
Like that TV show The Waltons, I remember the lessons learned during difficult times. I cherish those memories and foundation more than any material possession I own.
My children are now witness to difficult times, not to the degree that some are, by the grace of God. Our desire for our children and the next generation is to look upon our actions coupled with our attitude and find a lesson in them worthy to carry in their heart like a gift more valuable than silver or gold.
May they remember a deep, strong voice comforting them in love and reminding them that God will provide, He always does.
May they learn that honor and wisdom by and for God are worth more than anything else in this life.
Like the Waltons say, “good night John boy”, may they also remember how we said goodnight.
After all, every night is a “good” night…
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 @ 11:39 am
I loved the Walton’s growing up! In fact, my mom and brother still watch it during the day when they aren’t doing lessons. It’s so important to remember what’s important and not let the distraction of things take that away.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 @ 1:32 pm
I agree, it’s so easy to let life’s struggles and blessings take us away from the things that matter most. God has a way of getting our attention doesn’t He?
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 @ 11:43 am
My prayer for my children is the same as you described. I have many favorite verses but my MOST favorite is from 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” I recognize now, more than any other time in my life, that I may not be around to see Moi grow up and have children of his own. My time with him is spent teaching him as much as I can about what it means to be a man of integrity and to love God with his whole heart. This post has really hit home with me for some reason…
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 @ 1:37 pm
All your children are blessed, your youngest has the hand print of God on him, placed there through you. You are a tremendous advocate for everyone in your life. I appreciate your support and wisdom more than you know.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 @ 6:15 pm
OK, I have to admit I was LOL thinking of this young brash, in your face, tough kid Floyd, sitting by the TV watching The Waltons … in fact I still am LOL!! But your message is excellent … if people would just look within and find the inner strength and God’s help most all of the insurmountable obstacles faced could be overcome. And no I was not a fan of The waltons … maybe it was to close to reality of me growing up on Cornhusker Mountian 🙂 Bt
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 @ 7:24 pm
That’s too funny! I know it doesn’t match me and for sure it doesn’t match you. I’ll bet it made your eye twitch! GOOD NIGHT BT!!! I can almost hear an accent saying that from the other tiny room…
Thursday, June 2, 2011 @ 6:10 pm
Okay, now I have a confession: I’ve never seen an episode of The Waltons !
But I agree with your post completely. One of the hardest times in my marriage is when we learned the most and changed for the better. Those changes wouldn’t have happened without the struggle.
Great post!
Thursday, June 2, 2011 @ 6:52 pm
Thanks Jennifer, I enjoyed your post at Mama Kat’s, I posted one I wrote a while back there by following you over. I think it might be a “mom” sight. Oh well! If you can at least find one episode and listen to the Walton’s narrator and how he wrote about the lessons learned, I bet you’d find it inspiring.
Saturday, June 11, 2011 @ 7:11 pm
I think hard times bring out character in people and have the potential to make some into better, stronger humans. We’ve had some good years with a lot of prosperity which really has made America into the luxury-craving pig she is. Or rather, that we are. I’m just as bad and sometimes, I feel like a giant man-child because I just don’t feel like I’m an adult or always act like one… (in fact, I think I’m becoming more immature as time progresses) Regardless, I hope that I’m passing good things on to this next generation. I’m certainly not legalistic, but at the same time, I hope I’m teaching right submission to authority and integrity. We have to have integrity… ugh.
Saturday, June 11, 2011 @ 11:38 pm
I agree, if we honor the ones who teach us in the proper perspective we honor God and them… For people like us it’s the hardest thing…