Dad used to spank us kids when we disobeyed. Spanking arouses varied opinions. But for me, Dad's spankings were so reflective of God's love. I can see Dad trying to hide his smile now, as I recall him disciplining my younger siblings. He was often thinking how funny the thing was that one of the kids did. Nevertheless, it needed correcting because it would grow into a huge ugly sin if it was not nipped in the bud. Little babies are born in sin pure and simple. (Yes, I realize the irony of that expression.)
Our discipline was given in an orderly and fair manner. We were given the same rules across the lot of the twelve of us. We had fair warning--we knew the good to do. Of course, different personalities learned from different types of punishments. The more stubborn needed more persistence in the discipline. For one, sitting in a chair might be the worst thing possible to their little energetic body. Whatever the case, justice was done and we knew our Daddy loved us.
I recall well the time I snuck out of bed after my parents had said it was bedtime. One of my siblings faithfully told on me (because we ALL knew the rules extra well when it came to someone else breaking them) and I was sent to my parent's room to await my punishment. Funny thing is, I don't even remember the spanking (which was always done on the hindquarters, because there's plenty of cushion there.). What I do remember is 1. The humiliation of being caught in my sin in front of the guests. 2. The "eternity" I had to wait until the guests left and 3. The broken-hearted feeling I had for having disappointed my Dad.
He truly was my friend and I couldn't believe I had done such a thing against him. Still, rebellion in me rose with excuses, "How could he love me and spank me when all I did was get out of bed?". As I waited, these pious thoughts swelled pride in me. But as soon as Dad came in, and shut the door behind him, he looked in my eyes and my chin wrinkled like a raisin! I swallowed hard again and again to choke back the tears. It was to no avail. They came flooding in like a mighty river. My Daddy embodied all I wanted approval from.
You see, my Daddy's face was the face of God to me. He was my proof that God exists. Because of my Daddy's deep love and faithfulness, I had no doubts when he shared the Gospel with me. I just knew God was who He said He was because here was living proof in my home every day.
Dad talked to me about what I had done wrong. He asked me why I had done it...Before I had all these excuses practiced in my head. Now it was all I could do to chirp out "I don't know!" through my sobbing. Then Dad would sigh and say "I wish you hadn't done that. Now I have to spank you." And I would know the routine, put my hands on the bed as he hit my tail end enough so it would sting. Dad knew my heart was already repentant, but he followed through with the penalty so that I would learn the seriousness of sin--it separates us from our loving Father.
My Daddy would always come to talk to me after the whole ordeal. He would usually just come and talk about funny things and make me laugh. He wanted me to know that "His anger is but for a moment, and His favor if for a lifetime." (Psalm 30:5) And he would also show me that the sun does not go down on his anger. I was free again to approach him and he would again turn with favor and blessing on me because we kids were the delight of his soul. "For the Lord reproves Him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." (Prov 3:12)
Because my Daddy would do anything to show his love for me, he took the time and patience to teach me how to obey so that I would learn how to be close to my Heavenly Father. "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:13-14)
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph 6:4) Often, the children needing more discipline were the ones needing more one-on-one attention. The coupling of these both (discipline and one-on-one attention) is dynamite! As a matter of fact, this is discipleship. And Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14) "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
Our discipline was given in an orderly and fair manner. We were given the same rules across the lot of the twelve of us. We had fair warning--we knew the good to do. Of course, different personalities learned from different types of punishments. The more stubborn needed more persistence in the discipline. For one, sitting in a chair might be the worst thing possible to their little energetic body. Whatever the case, justice was done and we knew our Daddy loved us.
I recall well the time I snuck out of bed after my parents had said it was bedtime. One of my siblings faithfully told on me (because we ALL knew the rules extra well when it came to someone else breaking them) and I was sent to my parent's room to await my punishment. Funny thing is, I don't even remember the spanking (which was always done on the hindquarters, because there's plenty of cushion there.). What I do remember is 1. The humiliation of being caught in my sin in front of the guests. 2. The "eternity" I had to wait until the guests left and 3. The broken-hearted feeling I had for having disappointed my Dad.
He truly was my friend and I couldn't believe I had done such a thing against him. Still, rebellion in me rose with excuses, "How could he love me and spank me when all I did was get out of bed?". As I waited, these pious thoughts swelled pride in me. But as soon as Dad came in, and shut the door behind him, he looked in my eyes and my chin wrinkled like a raisin! I swallowed hard again and again to choke back the tears. It was to no avail. They came flooding in like a mighty river. My Daddy embodied all I wanted approval from.
You see, my Daddy's face was the face of God to me. He was my proof that God exists. Because of my Daddy's deep love and faithfulness, I had no doubts when he shared the Gospel with me. I just knew God was who He said He was because here was living proof in my home every day.
Dad talked to me about what I had done wrong. He asked me why I had done it...Before I had all these excuses practiced in my head. Now it was all I could do to chirp out "I don't know!" through my sobbing. Then Dad would sigh and say "I wish you hadn't done that. Now I have to spank you." And I would know the routine, put my hands on the bed as he hit my tail end enough so it would sting. Dad knew my heart was already repentant, but he followed through with the penalty so that I would learn the seriousness of sin--it separates us from our loving Father.
My Daddy would always come to talk to me after the whole ordeal. He would usually just come and talk about funny things and make me laugh. He wanted me to know that "His anger is but for a moment, and His favor if for a lifetime." (Psalm 30:5) And he would also show me that the sun does not go down on his anger. I was free again to approach him and he would again turn with favor and blessing on me because we kids were the delight of his soul. "For the Lord reproves Him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." (Prov 3:12)
Because my Daddy would do anything to show his love for me, he took the time and patience to teach me how to obey so that I would learn how to be close to my Heavenly Father. "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:13-14)
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph 6:4) Often, the children needing more discipline were the ones needing more one-on-one attention. The coupling of these both (discipline and one-on-one attention) is dynamite! As a matter of fact, this is discipleship. And Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14) "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
