have noticed or even been following the story of the Powell family from Utah.
The drama ended when the father killed himself and his two sons in a house fire.
It is fairly evident that the missing mother was killed by him as well. Now we
find out that long before (2 years) these events the police had found disturbing
images of parent-child incestuous relationships on his computer. It was not
established how deeply involved in this kind of demented behavior Mr. Powell was
and we will probably never know. This man was obviously a horrible husband and
father, but it was not realized until too late.
Let me point out just a couple of things. First, as rotten to the core as
this guy was his boys still apparently loved him. According to the social worker
who was there, the boys rushed into the house to see their dad allowing him to
slam the door and lock her out. Some fathers don’t realize just how much impact
they have on their children. Apparently, This man’s father had some kind of
impact on him as well. The grandfather had been involved with child pornography
even to the point of recording some himself. Think of the difference between
what Abraham passed on to Isaac and what this man was passing on to his son.
Considering what was being passed from father to son in this family, and
assuming that the boys were still young enough to be innocent and safe in God’s
eyes, perhaps he did them a favor. It is a shocking thought and certainly some
of their family will miss them, but they may now be better off than living and
being influenced by this man.
Second, here is the key: it is easy to compare ourselves to this man and
think highly of ourselves. I haven’t killed my wife, so I must be a good
husband. I haven’t victimized my children or killed them so I am a good father.
These are the kind of rationalizations that we make and the kind of comparisons
that we make to feel better about ourselves rather than honestly and objectively
assessing our strengths and weaknesses. There is always someone horrible to
point at that is worse than me. Sometimes we can even say we are doing better
than most others, but that should never be our goal. We need to strive for
excellence, even perfection. We have to judge ourselves by God’s standards, not
by the average American husband or father.
God sets guidelines to achieve a higher quality than the world.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect.