"Too many women, too many sons" 

Genesis 25.1-28 

1. Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 
2. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. 
3. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan; the descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites and the Leummites. 
4. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah. 
5. Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. 
6. But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

Then, in verse 12, This is the account of Abraham's son Ishmael, whom Sarah's maidservant, Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham.

Oh my, how many things are wrong with this picture?! Just verse 6, alone, makes me shudder, "...he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines..." That is plural - "concubines!" I think that line alone is proof that you don't have to be very smart nor very wise to be considered "a friend of God."

So, we know about Sarah and Hagar and Keturah, but how many concubines were there? And how many sons were there? Too many of each. Of all the things a person can do to guarantee a rough future for your favorite son, Abraham pretty much did them all and he assured Isaac plenty of enemies.

It is amazing to me how people who want to be 'Godly' and want to raise 'Godly' children can do so many stupid things. I see it all the time. I frequently want to get one of those powered bull horns and yell at people, "Yo!!! 'Ya got stupid written across your forehead?!" "Don't you have any clue what that is doing to your kids?" "Duh!!!"

Okay, so that isn't the way to 'win friends and influence people...' Neither is being a stupid parent, saying stupid things to our kids, going to win the friendship and respect of our kids. Nor will it influence them to be "Godly."

1) Don't be preferential with your time, gifts, compliments and attitude!!

2) Don't do things subtly nor overtly that will drive your children away!!

3) Look around and see how many former widows or widowers are miserably remarried and don't think that somehow your charm will overcome that old geezer's habits and manners!!

4) Think about your kids!! While children are young we spend lots of voice and energy telling them not to do anything to embarrass us at WalMart... Try to be sensitive to anything you might do that could cause them embarrassment or problems as they, and you, grow older.

Lastly, remember the old adage, "There's no fool like an old fool." In the eyes of children, anyone over twenty-something is "old." Don't be a "fool."