Disciplined

“If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” Hebrews‬ ‭12:8‬ ‭‬‬

My daughter was sharing with me about a trip she went on recently with several other mothers and their children. She talked about the struggle as each of the ladies parented differently. It dawned on her that she was not used to the children’s behaviors because generally when she is with the children she is the one that disciplines them. With the parents present, she did not feel it was her place to discipline the children, except her children. The children were wild.

I wanted to tell her to join the world I live in because my grandchildren, nieces and nephews are all so better behaved when their parents are not around. When they are at my house I have three rules. If the children are visiting my house with their parents, those three rules, I will still enforce. Any other discipline is up to the parents. If I am visiting their house or we are out in public with their patents, I will rarely discipline them.

God disciplines His children. He wants what is best for us and wants us to grow into all that He created for us to be. He knows that as we grow, we will either reflect Him or reflect the world. He disciplines us so that we will reflect Him. Sometimes it’s a gentle nudge, much like the stern look we can give a child that brings them into line. Other times, we need a complete butt busting course of correction as we refuse to accept the nudging.

I hear stories of children in blended families telling the stepparent “Your not my parent, I don’t have to do what you say.” How many times has my disobedience screamed the same thing at God? I treat Him with my actions as if I am an illegitimate child when I refuse to listen to His correction, to submit to His discipline.

Prayer – Lord forgive me for the times I have refused in disobedience. Forgive me where I have acted like an illegitimate child when You tried to bring me correction. I acknowledge that you only want what is best for me. You are trying to help me become all that You created me to be. Help me to receive your discipline with grace, to obey when you correct.