Choosing What is Right

“Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”  Psalm 106:3
 
When Jeff began passing around the pack of cigarettes, Adrianne knew she had a difficult decision to make: smoke with the group, or face ridicule from her new friends. 
 
Charlie ran up to Scott just before class and said, “I knew I wouldn’t have time to study for this exam today.  But you’ve got me covered, right?”  In just a few minutes, Scott would have to decide whether or not to let Charlie skim answers off of his paper, or to endure a difficult 9 weeks with a new enemy sitting right beside him. 
 
Jennifer walked into the boss’s office, just in time to hear him finish a phone conversation by saying, “The odds of us getting audited this year are slim.  Let’s go with these numbers and hope we don’t get caught.” 
 
The list goes on and on.  Kids like Adrianne and Scott, and adults like Jennifer regularly face decisions where the right decision may be obvious, but costly.  Can you think back to these moments on your journey?  Can you remember making the wrong choice, and even though you received approving nods from peers, you also felt the internal shame of violating your morals?  Do you remember decisions that pushed you into the path of a friend’s ridicule or rejection, but how those feelings co-mingled with the deeper satisfaction of making the right choice? 
 
Scripture holds no ambiguity when it comes to the people of God making decisions that please God.  In Jesus we see a man who did what was right, knowing that His choices would lead to His death.  And those early followers of Christ did likewise, sacrificing possessions, peers, and pride for the sake of laying hold of what was right, true and honorable.  Likewise, we want to raise children who “Constantly do what is right.”  We know that these tough choices continue into adulthood.  And we know that by learning to make consistently right decisions, our children will be blessed – happy, content, humble, and at peace with God.  How can we encourage them in this direction?

1. Tell your stories.  Our past successes and failures can be powerful tools today.  Recount the times when you got it right.  Honestly describing the pain of peer rejection forecasts what your kids can expect when they make a similar choice.  Let them hear how you piloted the relational turbulence and came through it with a profound sense of satisfaction.  Without encouraging them to fail, let them also hear stories about getting it wrong, coupled with the sense of conviction that overshadowed the acceptance you received from others. 
2. Ask the “Right” question.  When you have the opportunity to talk through a dilemma in advance, ask the important question, “What is the right thing to do in this situation?”  Most of the time, your children know exactly what they should do.  The tension stems from the consequences they will face for doing it.  Help them by discussing the various outcomes, worst-case scenarios, and positive results.  And don’t forget to send a clear message that you believe in God’s power, which is able to give them strength to make the right choice. 
3. Be prepared for failure.  While we hope and expect our children to consistently do what is right, we remain ready for failure.  Like the father of the prodigal son, we restore our children through open arms of love.  Even though they must own the consequences of poor choices, remember that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.  Similar to our own journey into adulthood, our children will learn the value of doing what is right, even when they get it wrong.