Stop beating your donkey!

Donkey say dis world no level.
Every day yu beat donkey, some day he will kick yu.
Every donkey hab im shankey (his own mind)
Every jackass t’ink im pickney (child) a racehorse.
Every man no dribe dem donkey same way.
Every time donkey bray, im member someting.
When yu go a donkey house don’t talk about ears.
No mek one donkey choke you.

The above phrases are a few of the many Jamaican proverbs that were used to warn and discipline children.

Similar to many Jamaican parents my mother used proverbs to encourage or admonish her children.

Some of these proverbial warnings terrified me into better behavior whenever I misbehaved as a child.

Most times I did not understand the meaning of these proverbs but she never explained them when asked. She would only say, “you will find out soon enough.”

Sure enough as I grew older and faced life challenges, these proverbs would resurface in my mind to help guide my decisions.

For example, whenever i am tempted to overspend my small salary i heard my mother voice warning. “Don’t put your basket where you have to tek’ stick to push it down!”

Do you think using proverbs to teach children would be effective in our modern technological society?

The donkey was used as an example in many proverbs because its characteristics can help teach us about patience.

Donkeys are believed to be stubborn animals. When they refused to budge it was difficult for anyone to get them to move.

Do you know that many people are more obstinate than a donkey?

If you find yourself beating your donkey to obey your command, chances are you are the problem, not the poor animal.

The Bible tells us about the story of Balaam and the donkey.

You can refresh your memory about this story here.

Balaam was riding his donkey to carry out an illegal mission, but he Lord sent an angel to block him from doing this task.

The angel stood in the middle of the road with a sharp sword to kill Balaam.

However, Balaam did not see this angel, so he continued to ride his donkey blindly.

Fortunately, the donkey saw the angel and turned off the road three times to avoid him.

The donkey’s action appeared contrary to Balaam’s direction and so he cruelly beat his donkey to comply, but the animal refused to budge.

Who was more headstrong, the donkey or Balaam?

The person who could not see the angel was more stubborn.

The donkey had spiritual eyesight and was obedient to God, and so the Lord gave him a voice to speak His words.

A similar scenario is happening in the Church.

Many pastors and church ministers lack spirit of discernment and so they have neither knowledge nor vision.

Consequently, they are whipping the sheep (church members) ignorantly.

God assigned fathers to be the priest of the family.

Thus, they have the authority to lead their family into success or failure.

If they are stubborn and disobedient they will “whip” their family to control them.

Consequently, this result in broken homes and children with disruptive behaviors.

A Father who is fulfilling the role of a priest in the home ensures that he establishes a foundation built on love and peace.

Similar to Joshua, he stands on the declaration that “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

Do you want more Jamaican proverbs? Find it here!