Every parent should be an example to their children just as Timothy was called to be an example to the believers he led. Of course no father is perfect, but we can try-even if it takes some humility as in the case of what I call "The Chain Saw Incident." Our house is on a ridge overlooking a distant lake, but our view was obstructed by several trees. My son, Benjamin, and I were out doing a little lumberjacking to improve the view. We came upon a big oak that stood just across my property line, in a forest owned by the city. When I started up my chain saw, Benjamin asked, "Isn't that tree on city property?"
"No," I shouted over the buzz of the saw. "Property lines are never that exact." The chain saw sliced through the oak in a few seconds and down it crashed. And as it fell I saw some little orange markers, clearly showing it was a city tree!
In a few days, the Lord began to make noises like a chain saw in the back of my mind. Every time I read the Bible I saw trees. I finally realized I needed to go to the city and confess my sin.
When I finally made the call, Benjamin was standing next to me. I told the official who I was, that I had cut down the tree and wanted to make restitution. He said he appreciated my call, but restitution wasn't necessary since "The property lines out there aren't that exact anyway." I thanked him.
Benjamin didn't say much when I told him what the man said, but I could tell he was soaking it all in. I wasn't trying to be profound, just honest. I had to hope he understood his dad's willingness to do what is right.