The Discipline of a Father
This past weekend I was shopping with my husband and as I was looking thru a stack of clearance books in one aisle, I heard a stern man’s voice on the other side of the aisle, “Son, put that back”, the father continued, “we do not steal, son!” Again, his voice asked, “do you understand Son, we do not steal.” I don’t know what this young boy was trying to slip into his pocket, as I was on the other side of the aisle and couldn’t see, but what I do know is that the father was sure to discipline his child against what was wrong behavior. “Do YOU understand”? I heard a little voice reply, “yes, daddy”.
I’ve thought about that conversation between a young boy and his father ever since. I’m reminded of all the things that I (and all children) have come to ask of their fathers; I’m certain that asking for discipline is probably not one of them.
(1 Corinthians 13:11) “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
As a grown woman, I no longer hear the sharp words of discipline of my father or mother, but sometimes I still need a quick kick in the pants when I forget what’s right and what’s not. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I know it’s wrong to steal and I would never take anything that wasn’t mine. Or would I?
Stealing isn’t confined to the local department store. We steal when God leads us to speak an encouraging word to someone, but we don’t. We steal when a missionary comes to speak at our church, but we don’t give the $10 God urged us to give. We steal when we busy ourselves so much that we don’t have time to pick up our Bible. I can still hear that father’s voice, “we don’t steal!” except it’s not the young boys father speaking, the young boy repesents me (and you) and the father represents our heavenly Father.
(Hebrews 12:6) ” For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.”
The Lord disciplines the ones that He loves. His desire is that we obey Him and allow all that we have to be a blessing to Him. Next time you find yourself asking your Heavenly Father for something, try asking for His discipline, so that your childish ways could be put away and we can live in such a way that we no longer steal from God.
BLESSINGS. Laurie
@copyright2018 laurieadams
I want to be named one of his children. I’ll submit.
Powerful message, Laurie. Yes, we my not steal a physical thing, but I know that I am sometimes not follow God’s lead. May I hear His voice clearly and obey.