Hoover Dam

by John Thomas

It took 5,000 men five years to build Hoover Dam. The records are incomplete as to how many men died, during this process, but it was probably between 100 and 150 lives. An incredible sacrifice of manpower and even life, but think of the tremendous resource it has been to that region of the country. How long would it take to destroy that dam if a demolition company was hired to take it out? How long does it take to build a home? How long does it take for fire to destroy it? How long does it take to build a mature Christian life? How long does it take satan to destroy that life once he weasles his way in? How long does it take to build a Godfearing society? How long does it take to break that society down? It takes a long time to build and a short time to tear down! (Always!)
What's worse? To have books taken away, or to have books and no one to read them? To be persecuted for being a Christian, or not taking the time to be a Christian? To have a government "lording over you" to control you, or just coming to think that is what is expected and normal in government?
I am very concerned for our children, not only because they are in an evil society, but also that they do not see it as evil. Nothing shocks them because they have seen it all on t.v. or heard it at school, or felt it at home. They live for the moment because to them there is nothing else. They don't have big plans for the future, because they are unsure of their future, Nothing around them seems to last, including family relationships. They don't see long term goals being planned and followed through upon by their parents. Therefore they don't understand the idea of patience and payoff for that patience. They want immediate gratification, because that is what they are used to getting.
A little girl receives a sucker from the lady at the store, the mother says "What do you say?". The little girl replies, "Charge it!" They learn at an early age, but what are they learning? The idea of charging now, get what I want now, and pay later is what society has built in to us, Consumerism is a big part of our life. That is what we do with relationships too, if we are not careful. Get out of it what we want now, don't worry about the results of our actions until later.
Our kids suffer from premature affluence. They become known for things they have well before they can legally "own" anything. How many children do you see driving cars around that their parents can't afford to drive? Now there is a good investment! Our kids are in a bait and switch society when it comes to morality. They don't know the value of anything without first looking at the price tag! And they live as though there are unlimited funds, never thinking they might "cash out".
Why noncommittal? Because they can't see long term rewards. Life's answers can't be found in a thirty minute sit-com. That is our job. To teach longevity and planning and second chances. They need to see success in someone else's life to know where they want to be in the future. They need homes, significant others, adults, and their peers to be a positive in their life and not a negative. They don't need freedom. They don't need to be shoved into adulthood. They need to be loved, cherished and guarded. Remember, building worthwhile things take time and patience. Make a difference. Build a "Hoover" in someone's life. You never know how it might change the world.

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