even punks come home

Did you ever meet a punk? Those kids that are just troublemakers. Maybe you have a different term for them - juvenile delinquent, dolt, goon, wackadoodle. The last one was new to me, but seems to have originated sometime in the 1950’s. But you know the type. It’s just a kid searching out trouble, experimenting with the world, and heading the wrong direction. 

I’ve known a lot of punks. I was in the public school system as a student and a teacher. You don’t have to look very hard to find extremes there. And everybody who has beautiful daughters knows what a punk magnet they can be!

This was one. I knew him. 

6th Grade Punk

He was a troublemaker. He loved his family but didn’t really want to be around them. His parents just weren’t cool and he hated his small town. All this punk wanted to do was leave and get to the big city. So, he did. Then something happened. The big city wasn’t as great as it should have been. Ever have a time when you thought the grass was going to be greener on the other side? That’s what happened here. And then home became a desirable place. 

Flurie Farm Fresh Eggs

Well, I know that punk because I married him. Now, my husband, Bryce is like “The Farmer in the Dell.” He is proud of his heritage, respects his family, and loves the farm. He’s gone from a 12 year-old with cigarettes in the pockets of his jean jacket to trying not to scramble our farm fresh eggs as he carries them into the house.

Bryce often says, “I spent the first 20 years of my life trying to get out of Lewisberry and the next 20 years trying to stay.” What changed?

Bryce was in 6th grade and headed into his punk stage at the same time I was standing on the bed in my lavender bedroom, belting out the lyrics to Leslie Phillips’ song, Your Kindness. 

It's your kindness that leads us
To repentance Oh Lord
Knowing that You love us
No matter what we do
Makes us want to love You too
Songwriter: Leslie Phillips © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

If you can handle the 1980’s Christian music scene and hair, you can check it out here. Your Kindness

That song is a reminder of Romans 2:1-4. 

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? - Romans 2:1-4

In Romans 2, Paul saw his audience being punks. They were judging others and failing to recognize their own need for God’s grace. You can be a punk and still love God. We are all like that at times. That’s why I’m thankful we’re saved by grace. But when we fail to recognize God’s faithfulness; his kindness, goodness and mercy that draws us closer to him through our repentance, we also fail to show others these qualities. 

I knew of Bryce in his punk stage, but I didn’t fully know Bryce’s heart. What changed? He did. Over and over again, he saw God’s kindness, goodness, and mercy in his life. 

Like Bryce’s parents, are you fighting to get someone to value home and family? We all do at some time or another. But here’s the important part, it’s our responsibility to take the first step. Speak without judgement. Help with kindness. Encourage with goodness. And give with mercy. That’s how you’ll bring someone home. 

Searching for wisdom and asking for grace,

Jody