Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I am reposting this by popular request! Enjoy it and be a good parent! 

DES MOINES, Iowa – Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the “meanest mom on the planet.”

After finding alcohol in her son’s car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old’s misdeed with everyone — by placing an ad in the local newspaper.

The ad reads: “OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don’t love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet.”

Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.

The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors, and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.

“The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I’m telling people what happened here,” Hambleton says. “I’m not just gonna put the car for resale when there’s nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision. It’s overwhelming the number of calls I’ve gotten from people saying ‘Thank you, it’s nice to see a responsible parent.’ So far there are no calls from anyone saying, ‘You’re really strict. You’re real overboard, lady.'”

The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is “very, very unhappy” with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.

Hambleton said she believes her son but has decided mercy isn’t the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.

The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week —just for the feedback.

A note from Pastor Tim: As a parent, expecting teenagers and young adults to appreciate your perspective is unrealistic. Until they are 18, you are there to help them make decisions. When they become a young adult, they will have to live with the consequences of their own decisions. For most of you parents, it probably won’t be until later that your children will come back and thank you for being a good strong parent! In the meantime, be that parent and don’t be moved. Hopefully, your day of being appreciated again will come sooner than later!

Proverbs 22:6 “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.”