A grandfather once found his grandson, Joey, jumping up and down in his playpen, crying at the top of his lungs. When Joey saw his grandfather, he stretched out his chubby hands and cried all the louder, "Out, Gamba, out!"
Naturally, the grandfather reached down to lift Joey out, but as he did, Joey's mother said, "No, Joey, you are being punishment--so you must stay in your playpen.."
The grandfather felt at a loss as to what to do. On the one hand, he knew he must comply with the mother's efforts to discipline her son. On the other hand, Joey's tears and uplifted hands tugged at his heart. Love found a way! If Gamba couldn't take his grandson out of the playpen, he could climb in and join him there!
Discipline, in its finest form, is "directing a child toward a better way." Discipline goes beyond punishment by instilling the desire never to repeat the misdeed, and instead, make a better choice. The desire to do right is born of love--the love of the child for the parent, and more importantly, the love of the parent shown to the child.
God disciplines us, but he never leaves us. He is always right there in it with us.
FOR I AM WITH YOU AND WILL SAVE YOU, SAYS THE LORD...BUT I MUST DISCIPLINE YOU; I CANNOT LET YOU GO UNPUNISHED. JEREMIAH 30:11.
Archbishop Danette M. Scott, Ph.D. A Ray of Hope Ministries Christian Center Sr. Pastor/Founder www.AROHMCC.org
He's been the best Father to me and I'm so very thankful to Him for the love and care that's been provided to me.
Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 at 3:21PM
Jen Fad
