A Difficult Subject

Max was one of those fellows we describe as "all boy." He was the first one to arrive at a fire.
He was the one who would always try out the limbs of a fruit tree. He was first at the table at mealtimes. He was also the first to start swinging when an argument turned into a fist fight.

His report card showed passing grades in everything but behavior. His grammar was understandable. His spelling was enough like the real word to be able to read it and he liked arithmetic, so he got along all right in that. But when his mother asked him about his behavior he replied, "Gee, Mom, I guess that is just my weakest subject!"

Wise King Solomon said, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:32). It doesn't matter how smart you are, or how good looking you are or how much you have, if you cannot control your temper all these other things will not do you very much good.

To be considered "all boy" does not require a fellow to be handy with his fists at the drop of a word. But the real boy or the real girl is the person who has himself or herself under control at all times. Full of life, anxious to be first, restless at times, these are all a healthy part of growing up. But a quick temper and a sharp tongue will hold you back.

A "real" person is one who wears "the armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).

I am learning to control my feelings, dear Lord, because I want to be your kind of real person.