Episode 6: Legalized murder?

When I became a parent I had a laundry list of things that I said "I will never..." to. Lately a lot of those immature wisecracks have been coming home to roost. It seems that kids go through "phases" in life, where the preconceived notions we have about the way they should act, and the things they do, make you think about murder.

I have two boys. One is three, the other is four. To say the least, it’s crazy around my house at times. From the fighting, to the nights they don’t sleep well and I end up with a foot in my face, there is never a dull moment.

Sometimes these "phases" are enough that, like any parent, I wonder if I would be justified in murder. Now, before you start sending me rude emails, let me clarify that I would never harm my children. I'm simply saying if murder was legal they might have cause to worry a little.

I was venting some of my thoughts on this subject to my Dad the other day. After another sleepless night, and the 47th fight of the day, I said "It's a good thing, for their sake, that murder isn't legal." My father, full of Godly Wisdom, replied to me in a way that only someone with his maturity and experience could, and his reply is still ringing in my ears.

He said "If murder were legal son, you wouldn't be having this conversation with me right now."

If that doesn't deflate your pride, I don't know what will.