Lent
– Day 35 – Only a few more days during this season of Lent. Are you being
obedient in your efforts to follow Jesus to the cross…to present your own
bodies to the Lord as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)?
A wise child accepts a parent's discipline;
a mocker refuses to listen to correction. Proverbs 13:1
How many children do you know who are wise?
Well, there are some who are obedient. They’ve been trained well, know when
they’ve made a poor decision, and accept their discipline…or punishment. Not
all discipline is exactly punishment. These are some verses and thoughts I
blogged in 2013 when this blog was centered on training tips for parents to
consider when encouraging Jesus’ character traits in their children.
There is no fear in love; but
perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who
fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19
Discipline your son while there is
hope, and do not desire his death. ...Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that
you may be wise the rest of your days. Proverbs 19:18, 20
Share these
verses, with your family and discuss the fact that discipline isn’t always punishment,
but can simply be training in the right way to act, think or speak. Have your
children suggest ways that they should be disciplined for their actions or
attitudes. Can you actually use their ideas? Can they listen to your counsel
and accept discipline in a respectful manner? Praise your children for
accepting discipline if they are respectful and obedient.
Obedience. It
is a quality that can be taught by reward, although some children may need to
learn it by punishment. Children have their own individual learning methods—and
it is up to the parent to discover that method and help the child apply it. Along
that same idea children also have a particular love language that is specific
to them. The particular love languages are: Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation,
Quality Time, Gifts, and Acts of Service. Read the book, The 5 Love
Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, for details that
include parenting tips and guidance. We have to remember that children are
children—they need parents (and grandparents to some extent) to love them
unconditionally and to be responsible for them as they grow into mature and
responsible adults.
Do your
children know what you expect of them when you are at home, school, shopping,
visiting friend’s or relatives’ homes, restaurants, church, the city park, or
wherever? Do you yell at them when they misbehave? But have they been
instructed on how to “behave” and the consequences of misbehavior? Consistent
discipline includes some training or teaching. If you haven’t ever done any
behavior training, then make a list and start today. If the children are really
young you may want to do some role playing with their dolls to give them
instruction. Once you have let them know what is expected of them comes the
hard part—you must consistently hold them to those expectations and follow
through with discipline “punishment” that is appropriate for the unmet
expectations. Prayer is essential—before, during, and after discipline.
We all have choices to make—whether we are
children or adults. We choose to be obedient to God or not. To allow a child to
mock you or God is a sure sign of disobedience and rebellion. How are things
going in your relationships—with your children or grandchildren and with the
Lord?
Prayer
~ Lord God, may we accept Your discipline…and may our children wisely accept
our discipline Give us wisdom as we parent…and grandparent.
Happy Birthday, Kim!
You are a great husband, son, brother, son-in-law and Dad!
May God continue to bless and guide
you—as you seek and serve Him.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
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