Love letter #38: Discipline as love

Image by Tiago Edu via FlickrI've noticed many parents with their children lately. It seems that parents are having a tough time disciplining their children. Not having any children of my own, I hesitate to judge others' parenting styles. However, I notice a stark contrast to many of the parenting styles I see now and the way I was raised.


Often, there is so much deference to the child, that what the parent /guardian says no longer is listened to by the child. This is because the child knows that if they keep doing what they want, the parent will no longer object.

God is not an earthly parent that He will grow lax; or human that we  can wear him down and garner His approval for things that we've already decided to do. He is God: archetypal parent, the lover of our souls. He shows us like a loving parent that it's not helpful to give us whatever we want, whenever we want it. But like a good father, in His love He looks towards your long term future and gives us instruction now through the scripture and His Spirit.

   “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
   and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
   and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”


Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.


How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12: 5-11

Lord, help us to see your discipline as an act of love, and the evidence of good parenting. Help us to submit to your will and surrender so that we may produce a harvest that is evidence of our training in You. Amen.