A Mother’s Discipline

A Mother’s Discipline

To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Proverbs 29:15

One of the hardest things about raising—and disciplining—children is that our own wills get in the way. We often want our children to act right so that we ourselves can look good. This is true of the Amish society too. Imagine that everywhere you go there is a team of neighbors who are watching how your children act and react. As Proverbs 29:15 says, a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child, yet the goal in raising children shouldn’t be to make parents look good but to teach children to be obedient to them so that they will learn to be obedient to God. The best way to teach obedience is to focus on the things that matter most, knowing that other character qualities will follow. Here is one Amish mother’s wise advice:

In order to properly and loving discipline our children, we cannot afford to be stressed out and burdened with too many “extras.” By teaching our children to submit and to do so cheerfully, we are doing them a great service that will last a lifetime. We may spare them countless heartaches by doing our duty now while they are young.

These children are not ours, but God’s. Can we fully realize the awesome responsibility of raising them to give back to the heavenly Father? Let us prayerfully strive to do our best, and may we someday hear those blessed words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Mothers can best teach their children to give up their wills when mothers make the effort to submit their own wills to God. Are you disciplined in your daily life? Can you truly say to your children (no matter their ages), “Do what I do”? A mother’s discipline can be directed toward a child. Or a mother’s discipline can be something internal that guides her own steps. Both have great value to God and His Kingdom.

Dear heavenly Father, sometimes it’s easier to direct others than to direct myself. Help me to do both wholeheartedly.