DAY 194 -- Father Knows Best

When I was a young kid, much younger than I am now, there was a series on television every week called, "Father Knows Best."  It was one of those shows where father was always making decisions and they always seemed to end up being the right decision.  Some times it didn't seem  like it at the time, but before they ended the show each week, everyone in American was sure that father does know best. 

Another series was entitled, "My Three Sons."  This one was also a series that preached the unity of the family, and the challenges they family entered into because of those three sons.  Then there was one called, "My Favorite Martian."  There was one called, "The Donna Reid Show" and "The Partridge Family."  (Now why would I bring that one up?)

There was Bonanza, The Rifleman, Maverik, Dennis the Menace, Lassie, Leave it to Beaver, etc. Television in those days was surely tame compared to television today.  I owned a bowling alley in Brigham City up until about two years ago.  I went to great lengths to make sure that there was television available for the patrons.  I had the Olympics shown during bowling hours. I had some Jazz games shown during some bowling hours.  I just calmly turned on the TV and went about my business.

I had always tried to advertise that we were closed on Sunday and we were a Family Safe Place.  Well, one night a troubled lady came up to me and started complaining because I had the televisions on.  I was shocked.  I replied, "All we are doing is showing a basketball game, one that someone requested."  She said, "I know that, but did you see the last advertisement that showed a partially naked woman."

I understood what she was saying, realizing that the commercials at times should be rated also, X, PG-13, and R.  I turned off the television and almost never turned it on again.  The world is changing from what it was when I grew up to where it is now, and where it is going.

 As my thoughts return to the early television shows, my mind remembers that Father knows best.  But more than a television show, if we can, if I can get it into my mind indelibly printed that Father does know best in my life, as He tries to teach me, train me, and prepare me, then I will be much better off.