From Parent to Child
I Gave You Life, but I Cannot Live it for You,
I Can Teach You Things, but I Cannot Make You Learn,
I Can Give You Directions; but I Cannot be There to Lead You,
I Can Allow You Freedom, but I Cannot Account for It.
I Can Take You to Church, but I Cannot Make You Believe,
I Can Teach You Right from Wrong, but I Cannot always Decide for You,
I Can Buy You Beautiful Clothes, but I Cannot Make You Beautiful Inside,
I Can Offer You Advice, but I Cannot Accept It for You.
I Can Give You Love, but I Cannot Force it Upon You,
I Can Teach You to Share, but I Cannot Make You Unselfish,
I Can Teach You Respect, but I Cannot Force You to Show Honor,
I Can Advise You About Friends, but I Cannot Choose them for You.
I Can Advise You About Sex, but I Cannot Keep You Pure,
I Can Tell You About Facts of Life, but I Cannot Build Your Reputation,
I Can Tell You About Drinking, but I Cannot Say No for You,
I Can Warn You About Drugs, but I Can’t Prevent Your Using Them,
I Can Tell You About Kindness, but I Can’t Force You to be Gracious,
I Can Warn You About Sins, but I Cannot Make Your Morals,
I Can Love You as a Child, but I Cannot Place You in God’s Family,
I Can Pray for You, but I Cannot Make You Walk With God,
I Can Teach You About Jesus, but I Cannot Make Jesus Your Lord,
I Can Tell You How to Live, but I Cannot Give You Eternal Life.
- Author Unknown