An Act of Love

As a child, I was pretty naughty.  For instance, my mother ran a day care so I was always around children.  This meant I had to share all my toys with the day care kids (little did I know at the time, the toys I liked the most were the ones my mom bought for the day care kids...but since they were in my home, I thought they belonged to me).  I found a way to get around this sharing thing though!  I would come up with the best story lines and I would make the other kids watch me play.  Then when my mom would come to take me away, the other kids would beg her to let me stay!  Manipulative huh?  She would then punish me.  Mom also tells stories of when she would allow me to choose between doing it her way or being punished for disobeying.  I always chose the punishment.  I wanted to do life my way, I wanted control; this resulted in me choosing punishment.  At least, this is how I remember the story being told to me.  I could be wrong though...my dad reads this and will let me know!  Anyway, this is the story that came to mind as I read Proverbs 13 today.

What stood out to me?  This Proverb opens and closes with references to discipline.  Verse 1 says, "A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke."  Verse 24 says, "He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently."

Why did this stand out to me?  This stood out to me because I have complained and hated the times I have been disciplined.  It feels as though people are out to get me and that I am the victim, and I do not deserve the punishment I have received.  But, these verses present a different way of looking at times when we are disciplined.  This passage shows me that discipline happens because I am loved and I am worth it.  It also tells me I need to accept discipline too.  I need to accept it in order to grow and flourish.

How will I apply this in my own life?  Currently, I am not being disciplined for anything (that I can think of at least).  But times will come when my behavior will need to be modified, or I will be confronted by an authority to change.  My attitude in those moments need to reflect my respect and desire to be a better individual.  A past example if from this past summer.  I needed my eyes opened to things I need to change about the way I lead staff.  If it were not through the faithful team I had, I would not have learned I left people feeling un-appreciated.  This was extremely hard to hear, and I was defensive at first, but I chose to change my attitude towards this information and accept it as a way to correct my behavior for future summers.  I am glad I went through it!

And you?  What are some disciplinary actions that have been taken against you that have born fruit?

In His service, Crazy Pete