When you bring a sweet little baby into your home, your last thoughts are about the time when you’ll need to correct them. I mean, they’re so adorable and innocent when they’re little! But those discipline days come sooner than you imagined, and you find yourself either taking up the rod and lovingly obeying Scripture, or you talk, reason, bribe and threaten until you’re sure someone will die in the process!
I can vividly remember one day with one of my daughters in which I learned a lesson the long, hard way. She had been a “stinker” all day. I had warned her and tried to use my words to correct her behavior (using words as rods is just cruel!). Late in the day I realized that I failed to obey God’s directives to take up the “rod,” and discipline her in love. I pulled her to my lap and told her that what she was doing was sin, and that because she’d continued to disobey after my warning, I was going to have to give her a spanking because I loved her and didn’t want her to continue in her sin. She bent over my lap and I administered the two or three swats with my little paddle. She cried. I cried. I held her in my arms and we prayed that the Lord would help her obey.
Tears were wiped away and she merrily skipped on her way to continue her play. She was so HAPPY! Her attitude was completely transformed, as was our day! It was as though she had been waiting for me to deal with her biblically to prove the amount of love I had for her.
A parent who loves their child will discipline them as God disciplines us. Over and out. I had selfishly kept back from the training she needed. But now, here she was, singing, playing, and happy after the loving rebuke. She knew I loved her, and I had learned the lesson to give the correction when it was needed so we could both enjoy the child/parent relationship as God intended!
Do you find yourself frustrated as the parent of a young child? Have you obeyed God’s Word and lovingly administered discipline? It’s God’s way, and if used lovingly and consistently, will produce the results of leading a child to recognize their sin, and their need to repent – both to God and their parents. Stop the frustration, and obey so your child can do the same!
Don’t lose heart; train your children with love and your relationship will be refreshed in unbelievable ways!
I read this article this week that was excellent. I pray it will encourage you as a parent!
Lovingly,
RefreshHer 