I had the meanest parents in all the world. When I was seven years old they

dared to spank me just because I told them I would not do what they asked me

to do to help around the house. My friend next door never got spanked. He

didn’t have to help at home. He had nice parents.

I had the meanest parents. I had to eat all my broccoli and carrots before

they would ever let me have dessert. My friend next door never had to eat

vegetables. He had fast food brought in with burgers and shakes and brownies

with all kinds of ice cream.

I had the meanest parents. They made me go to church every Sunday as long as

I lived under their roof, sit there in that boring worship service. My

friend next door could do as he pleased. He never went to church. Sunday was

a fun day for him.

I had the meanest parents. They made me work for my allowance. I had to get

a job helping an elderly old man with chores around his house. My friend

next door never had to do anything and he was given four times as much

allowance as I could ever earn. He had nice parents.

I had the meanest parents. When I turned sixteen, they made me earn points

before I could drive the family car. My friend next door was given a brand

new luxury automobile. My folks had bought an old jalopy for me to get back

and forth to school, but you think I’d drive that hunk of junk and park it

beside those Jeep Wagoneers, BMWs, Buicks and Mercedes? My friend had it

made.

Or so I once thought, but, when we reached age thirty, I had a change in

perspective. I had learned that my parents were not so mean after all. I was

experiencing: the pleasure of work, the reward of recreation, the strength

of a healthy body, the bonds of a strong marriage, the inward confidence

that comes from faith and the wonderful supportive fellowship that

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