My children are a joy. But sometimes I can, unintentionally, treat them like they are a burden.
I overheard a neighborhood mom say that she was, and I quote, “over her kids“. Her eight year old daughter was 5 feet away. I cringed. She said it again… “I’m sick of my kids“. I think I almost lost my dinner.
Seriously, I thought. You just said that?
Now, I’ve never actually said those words… out loud… twice…. with my kids right in earshot, but how many times have a said it with my actions?
I find that when I get lazy in biblical, calm, rational discipline, I tend to treat them like a burden. When my life is more important, than taking the time to sit them on my lap, lovingly spank them, and talk to them about what they did… I become an angry, resentful mommy.
My days are not joyful. The clock moves slower than molasses, and I’m not thankful for the privilege of staying home with them. One that I prayed and prayed for, and God graciously answered.
When I make the time to be diligent in love and discipline, (because they should go hand in hand) my children thrive! Our home is peaceful. God resides and abounds.
What about you? Is it easy for you to get lazy in discipline? Maybe you have grown children now… can you remember those days? What worked for you?
The way our family strives to discipline (and fall short many many times):
1) Expect immediate obedience.
2) Spank for a rebellious/disobedient heart and/or actions.
3) Sit them down calmly and spank them (with spoon, not hand) 3 times.
4) Hug and kiss them. Wipe away tears.
5) Ask them to share what they did wrong to get a spanking.
When we are consistent in calm, rational, biblical discipline, our children walk away, not damaged, but restored! We are in a right relationship once again. We can move forward with joy in our hearts.
It is the same with our Heavenly Father. When the relationship is strained, God lovingly bids us come, and repent. When we do, the union is mended and restored.
Proverbs 13:24: He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:15: Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13: Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Proverbs 29:15: The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
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