“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”  2 Thessaloniasn 2:15

By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad�

Well, I realized this week that summer has arrived in Mississippi. First of all, it’s “as hot as blue blazes.� Secondly, I saw my first fireworks stand of the season. When it’s time for fireworks, it’s definitely summer.

In my life, and in the lives of my family and friends, fireworks have always been an integral part of summer.  I bet there aren’t as many kids who shoot fireworks these days, mainly because the media tells us not to let our kids do anything that’s not perfectly safe. Back in the 1960’s, my parents let us shoot firecrackers and thought the inherent danger was part of our educational experience. If you came in the house crying because a firecracker went off in your hand, your mom and dad would say, “I guess that’ll teach you to be more careful next time.� They were right.

My boys started lighting fireworks when they were about 4 years old. We shot fireworks as a family, and we lit them one at a time and then admired what happened when each one blasted off. In my mind’s eye, I can still see each of my boys walking out to the end of the driveway with a smoldering punk stick to light the fuse of a single bottle-rocket propped up in a soup can. Our plans for Independence Day vary a bit from year to year, but two traditions are unchangeable: We are going to shoot fireworks, and we are going to cut a watermelon.

The summer after Seth graduated kindergarten he desperately needed his adenoids taken out. At age 5, he snored like a lumberjack and sometimes like the lumberjack’s chainsaw.  Nobody could sleep in the same room with him. We took him to the local pediatrician who set up the date for his surgery—July 3rd. Seth was upset when he heard the news.  He said, “Dad, I don’t mind getting my adenoids out. I can’t breathe. It’s like having ‘steel boogers’. But if the doctor does it on the 3rd, I won’t be well enough to shoot my firecrackers and eat my watermelon on the 4th!�

I realized this was a serious issue for him. So the Cash family made a major adjustment. We had our Independence Day celebration on July 2nd. Firecrackers, Roman candles, and whistling chasers were ignited, and a watermelon was chilled and cut. And, as they always write in those country church newsletters, “A good time was had by all.� Family traditions are important because they give us so much joy and remind us that we’re all a part of a family unit.

Do you realize that there are holy traditions, too? Dear mamas, I was thinking about you this week. I walked over to the church very early on the morning of the Lord’s Day to unlock the doors and to make sure everything was ready for the worship services. It dawned on me that, at that very moment, many families were getting dressed to go to the Lord’s House to worship. I realized, too, that many families (even families that are a part of the Church) were making the decision to stay at home that Sunday.

I remembered that, while I was growing up, my parents NEVER skipped church on Sunday. As in all families, many things changed while my sister and I were growing up, but the one thing that never changed was that we were ALWAYS in church whenever the doors were open. My parents instilled in us a holy tradition—and I pray that you will instill that tradition into your children.

Now that the kids are out of school, it’s a great time for summer traditions — and to start some holy ones, too. May the Lord bless you and yours with joy as you bring up your little ones in the nurture and admonition of the Him!

Dr. John L. Cash is the “Country Preacher Dad� (Sing that to the title to the tune of “Secret Agent Man) He was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and is beginning his 25th year of being a country preacher in the piney woods five miles south of the little town of Hickory, Mississippi. He and his lovely wife, Susan, and his sons, Spencer (age 18) and Seth (age 15) live in the parsonage next door to the Antioch Christian Church (where  at this time of year we sit on the patio when it cools down—about 8 P.M.) You can cheer him with a note at extramailbox@juno.com.