The year was 1972.  Nixon was president, the Vietnam war was raging, and the evening television news was all about student unrest.  It seemed like rebelling against all manner of authority was in the air.  Some did it through music and strange wardrobe choices.  Others rebelled through drug use and the rejection of moral norms.  My parents were quite strict, so I had lots of limits on expressing personal rebellion.  Dad was a World War 2 vet.  Rebellion against authority wasn’t something that went down smoothly in the Sims home.  But, alas,  I found a way to do it.   I did it, primarily, by running my mouth.

Not long ago, the Lord gently reminded me of a heated exchange I had with my Dad when I was a fifteen-year-old fool.  I remembered it well.  He was sitting on a kitchen stool, preparing to polish his shoes for Sunday church.

“Dad, the Valentine banquet is next Saturday night.”

“A week from tonight. Great. You have a date?”

“Yes sir, I’m going with Sheila,” I announced.

“Would you rather me or your mother drive you?”  I knew that Dad had no idea where I was about to go with the conversation. I hesitated, clutched the back of my neck, and swallowed hard before coming out with it.

“Dad, I have a plan.”

“Alright, let me hear it,” he responded, continuing to apply shoe polish to his size seven black wingtips. His jovial tone caused me to hesitate even more. I wondered if it was really worth even bringing it up.   But rather than stand there like a moron, I came out with it.

“Uh, well, I’m only six weeks away from getting my driver’s license, and you and Mom both say that I’m a really good driver—better than Mike was. And since we live so close, uh, I want to drive Sheila to the banquet.”

“Okay,” he agreed. “You can drive. I’ll sit in the back seat and leave the front seat to you two.” Obviously Dad didn’t get it. I tried to explain again,

“I mean, uh, just me and Sheila.” The shoe polishing stopped cold. He cut his eyes up at me from the stool as if I had lost my mind.

“You want to do what?”

“But Dad, it’s just to Sheila’s, to the banquet and back. It’s not that far.”

“You don’t have your drivers license, Son, until you turn sixteen. It’s the law.” His reaction didn’t really surprise me. I said to myself, “Now, I must unload the big guns.”

“Dad,” I pleaded as my voice began to shake, “Everybody else’s parents let their kids drive alone, especially when they’re so close to getting their license.”  He was silent for a few seconds as he looked down and flicked a sliver of black polish off his thumbnail.

“Son, I don’t believe that for a minute.” His eyes met mine again. “Most parents in this town are not so stupid as to let their fifteen year olds drive without a license. What if something happens?” I wasted no time with my rebuttal.

“You told me yourself that you learned to drive without a learner’s permit. Wasn’t that against the law? So what’s the difference?  That’s so hypocritical.” I couldn’t believe I was actually saying this stuff to my dad, but I felt that I had at least scored a powerful hit.

“There wasn’t such a thing as a learners permit when I was fifteen, smart aleck. In 1939 you just went to the courthouse and got a license when you turned sixteen.”  His voice rose slightly, “No I did NOT break the law then, and I will NOT do it now.” With my throat tightening, barely holding back embarrassing tears, I gave it my last shot,

“I just don’t understand why other people’s parents have no problem with stuff, but my parents always do. It’s not fair.” Dad stood up, set his half -polished shoes on the stool, looked me square in the eyes. I felt his breath on my nose and cheek. I was expecting the worst.

“I guess it’s because other parents don’t love their children as much as your parents love you.”

He stared at me in silence no more than three or four seconds and then quietly sat down to finish his shoes. His firm takedown of my fifteen-year old hide was not one I ever wanted to repeat.

Rules had not won the day.    Love had.

 

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”   Proverbs 3:1-4