And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
Parents seem to spend a lot of time these days keeping their kids entertained. I might be old-fashioned, but when I hear "I'm bored", I think it just might mean they need more chores and responsibilities! What ever happened to disciplining children? Am I the only one left who thinks the bible is right on this?
Solomon writes that discipline is actually a sign of love – and does so in very clear terms:
Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. (Proverbs 13:24)
Even God disciplines His children - and if we truly believe He is the ultimate and perfect Father, shouldn't we want to follow His example?
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)
Clearly, we are not talking about child abuse here – there is a huge difference in discipline and abuse, and anyone that doesn’t know the difference probably shouldn’t be raising kids in the first place. I may be politically incorrect by saying this; but I have often wondered if the reason God made the bottom so well-padded is precisely so a firmly-placed smack there would get plenty of attention, without doing any lasting harm!
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
Ah yes, the ‘peaceable fruit of righteousness’ – or at least a good humbling experience for an unruly child…
#LoveMatters