The story of Romeo and Juliet is famous, yet few students are told the reason.
Students are told the story has endured because it is so powerful, so extreme, or so emotional.
However, they are rarely told how common the scenario is.
The theme of parents judging against their child's sweetheart happens every year.
Sometimes the parents are right, and sometimes they are wrong.
What is the young person to do?
How can one decide what to do?
Obey the parents? Or not?
Well, there are many circumstances. Some of them are:
1. The parents warned before any love developed and told the child to stay away from the other person.
2. The parents warned as soon as they first learned of things developing between the two people.
3. The parents warned within a day after hearing of things developing between the two .
In the above three instances, the child living in the parent's home and or supported away from home by the parents, should take the advice and obey it.
However, if after the parents were told of the love and desire for marriage, they did not disagree within a day ,
then the couple who has vowed themselves to each other is legally free to fulfill their vows with one another and pursue
their engagement. The parent cannot change his mind two months later. (See scripture reference Numbers 30:1-13)
The parents can not go along with a declaration of intent to marry for a season, and then at some later time, change their position
and force the man to break up from the woman. That would be a sin of the parents. That would cause much misery and pain on the part of the two engaged people. But it happens. Don't let it happen to you.
The big pain comes when parents force a breaking off of a love after it has developed and grown . Such timing wounds a heart and soul for years, even decades, or a life-time. Do not break any one's heart. Do not force them against their heart so strongly.
Fathers, of all people, should be inclined to encourage their sons to keep Numbers 30:2
I knew of more than one father who failed this test, and caused the crippling of their son that lasted and lasted.
One event was in the Fall of 1961 and caused disastrous effects in the lives of two wonderful young people.
Father's encourage and strengthen your sons to keep their words and commitments, especially in matters of the heart;
do not break their heart. Do not contribute to the breaking of their heart by placing obstacles in the path of keeping their
commitment.
Children, seek your parents' counsel prior to making commitments. Then keep your word. Numbers 30:2