Discipline Me

For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.

 Proverbs 6:23

Few things have taught me more than the blessing of motherhood. God has used my children in COUNTLESS ways to show me my own sin and teach me to trust Him. I want to share one of my favorite parenting moments.

My daughter asked if she could shave her legs. She was old enough, so I had no real objections. I gave her an electric razor to start. She was okay with this for a while, but as we all know, electric razors do not shave as close. Then she wanted to use my razor. I told her that I would buy her something that I felt was safe enough for her to try, but she could not use mine yet. I told her that she would cut herself if she tried to use mine. End of conversation.

Later that evening my daughter asked for a Band-Aid and showed me a cut on her knee. She “fell.” I knew immediately what she had done. Obvious. When I called her on it, she cried and felt badly for disobeying me. I then had to discipline her as well.

I felt bad that she cut herself, but I was so glad that what I said would happen, happened. She thought she knew better than me. Wrong! Mom: 1, Kid:0. Yes! Kind of morbid that I celebrate over my daughter’s injury, I know. But I was thrilled that God allowed this situation to show my daughter that I did actually know a thing or two. God gave her parents to help her navigate this life, and in this situation, she learned a good lesson.

How many times do we think we know better than God? We disregard His gentle tugs in favor of our own ways. But we have a patient God who loves us in spite of our selfish ways. We also know that if God disciplines us for a time, it is for our growth and for our good. Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness (Hebrews 12:10).

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Thank You, Lord, for being our loving and faithful Father, even we are in need of a little discipline.

Julie Smith