Discipline is one of those topics that parents tend to be eager to learn about while simultaneously wishing there weren't so many opportunities to apply what they learn. We can often feel weary and discouraged when the "rain" of bad behavior and poor choices seems to fall relentlessly in our homes. But as we learned from Luci Shaw's poem:
"Planting
seeds
inevitably
makes me feel different
about rain."
When we see our role of disciple-maker rightly, being diligent to plant seeds, till the ground, and tend to the crops of the truth we are training our kids in, it helps us to see the "rainy seasons" as opportunities rather than as disruptions. Because we want to be faithful in our stewardship of these opportunities, we must pay attention to our Heavenly Father's discipline practices and seek to emulate his CONNECTED, COMPASSIONATE, CALCULATED, CLEAR, CONTROLLED, CONSISTENT, and COSTLY discipline of the children he loves.
CALL TO ACTION
As you consider these things, let us encourage you to take some time with your spouse to discuss the following questions:
- Which of the 7 characteristics of godly discipline do we feel that we are excelling at in our home?
- Which of the 7 characteristics do we feel that we need to take ground in to more accurately represent the discipline of the Lord?
Additionally, we would encourage you to shoot an email or text to your community group with how they could pray for your family in any discipline challenges you might be facing today.
RESOURCES
If you're looking for a deeper dive on the topic of discipline, here are a few resources you may want to check out:
* Book: "Discipline that Connects With Your Child's Heart" by Jim & Lynn Jackson
* Blog Post: "How to Exasperate Your Children" by Erik Raymond
