Do you ever feel like your life, if you're a parent, consists of constantly disciplining somebody?
When I had my children I had this vision of my little creations and how we would just spend time together and enjoy each other. Sure, I'd have to teach them things along the way, but I created them so that I could enjoy them! Why do I have to spend all my time disciplining them?
I know the answer to that question, of course. We discipline those we truly love because we see their potential and we want them to learn from their mistakes and make better decisions next time. But it's still so hard! I hate disciplining my children, especially when I am being forced by them to do it because of their choices to make bad decisions. I hate being backed into a corner to hand down discipline. It hurts them (in the short term) and frustrates me. And it wouldn't have to be that way if they would just do what they know they are supposed to do.
As I was thinking this I heard God say, "When I had my children I had this vision of my little creations and how we would just spend time together and enjoy each other. Sure, I'd have to teach them things along the way, but I created them so I could enjoy them! Why do I have to spend all my time disciplining them?"
Ouch.
I would imagine God hates being forced to discipline me because of my choices to make bad decisions. But He has no choice. We discipline those we love. God is Love and He loves me, so He has to discipline me.
But he wouldn't have to do it if I would just do what I know I'm supposed to do.
How frustrated He must be with me during those times that I choose to not do what I am supposed to do.
I know the feeling.
This realization doesn't make parenting any easier for me or give me any real comfort in my frustrations.
But hopefully I will remember how God must be feeling when I am being purposefully disobedient, and I will choose to change my behavior without the necessity of being disciplined by God in order to do it.
By practicing that, maybe my children will be taught the greatest lesson of all.
