God or Mommy

Posted on Fri 06/26/09 in Fatherhood

It is true that the human race turns to religion in plight. When we face peril or a tragedy we may call on God for the answer or strength to cope. This situation is epitomized in prison, especially when an inmate is on death row. There is no escape. There are no rights. There is no sense of life.

And I realized yesterday a correlation between this inmate and being a young child. You see, yesterday, I put my 3-year-old in timeout for assaulting his sister or talking back or whatever it was. He got three minutes in solitary confinement near the front door, and he was really upset on this occasion. As I walked away, he was crying and screaming, “Mommy! Save me! Help me, mommy!” Mommy wasn’t there, and even if she was, there was no saving him. Perhaps from watching too many episodes of the Backyardagains, my mind slipped into an imaginary state; I was the prison guard walking away from locking up a repeat offender. I’d heard it all before. The screams of regret, pleading the higher power for mercy.

So, it’s not as bad as being in jail, but it’s the same idea. Luckily in my family, mom doesn’t help in that situation. And I’d bet my right toe that when I’m at work and mommy is the prison guard, Ethan calls out for me like I was the messiah.

Perhaps those on death row never had to be held to the kitchen timer. Else, they’d know the screaming only reassures that the punishment is getting to them.

Article Image was ripped from: http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/item/finding-jesus-in-jail-yellow-tshirt/152922451