“...correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (II Timothy 4:2)
“Discipline is Worthy”
I recognized her immediately. Remembering her as a former student many years ago, Sally’s physical appearance hadn’t changed much; but she was now a mother of a young preschool son, and her carefree days of selfish teenage frivolities had come to an end. I didn’t want to stare, but I was interested in her loving motherly mannerisms. Reflecting back to her high school career, I remember Sally as a quiet rebel; her parents forever loved and forgave her; and she constantly tested their patience and sincerity. She despised the restrictions of youth and felt cruelly confined by rules and the consequences resulting from misbehavior and unacceptable conduct. I had her only in one class—a senior speech class—and she begrudgingly fulfilled the required oral presentations. But beneath her sullen exterior, I could see a tender heart and an inner desire to please. She just couldn’t resist the temptation to prove she was different than most of her peers. peers. But, now she truly looked secure in her identity. I slowly walked to her table; and right away, she remembered me. She sheepishly smiled and explained that her son was being grounded from his play toys at home because of his wrongful actions; she just had to get out of the house because her patience was almost gone. I couldn’t help but smile at her serious demeanor; and I asked her, “Do you know what enforcing rules really causes? It makes the disciplinarian just as miserable as the one being disciplined!” She laughed softly responding, “That is so true! Now I know how I must have tortured my parents.” I really didn’t appreciate my father’s strictness until I had children. I loved being the mother of two sons; but when the baseball season demanded Keith’s time, I became mother, father, doctor, nurse, teacher and disciplinarian. I had to set boundaries but even more importantly I had to set consequences for misbehavior. I hadn’t planned on accepting that role when my boys were small, sweet compliant babies who were content to be carried, fed and played with. But as they matured, they challenged my standards and patience. My Guide and Support was God’s Word. I learned that as a parent I had the responsibility to “correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (II Timothy 4:2) I knew that our Lord disciplines those He loves (Proverbs 3:12); just like a father disciplines his son who he loves. (Deuteronomy 8:5); but I really didn’t like the work that consistency demanded. Sometimes it would have been easier to ignore an infraction than to have to dole out discipline; but I wanted my sons to mature into good Christian men. I had to “let perseverance finish its work...” (James 1:4) in my discipline; and I knew my boys would someday appreciate my disciplinary diligence. Parenting is not an easy job; but it can eventually prove so rewarding. I left Sally with her precious little bundle of joy so they could finish eating. Visions of my sons at that vivacious age tickled my thoughts; and I didn’t want to infringe on Sally’s time with her son. I hope our short meeting was as much as a blessing to her as it was to me.
