Dare To Be Diligent

He who spares the rod hates his son,but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverbs 13:24 (NIV)

Discipline—what is discipline? The dictionary states that it is “training that develops self-control, character, and orderliness.” So discipline—whether it involves a time-out, or docking of allowance, or staying home from a fun event—has a point. Biblical discipline is not just to punish; it is to train children—to mold and guide from wrong, hurtful patterns so they can learn to make good choices for themselves.

If that is true, why would any parent not want to discipline? Well, I think it’s because it’s hard; it takes discipline on our part.

We moms sometimes feel that little fear that if we don’t give in to our kids’ wishes and whims even when they throw tantrums, they are not going to love us.

Some think kids need their parents to be lenient buddies. No! No! Kids need trainers, not enablers. If there is no discipline when they hit their sister or lie to their teacher or steal from the candy counter, they don’t have a negative experience to break them from doing it again. They got away with it. A child that lies to his teacher will later lie to his boss or to his wife.

So moms, discipline, but be careful and prayerful. Ask God to give you the right penalty for that child for that particular offense at that moment. Discipline is not one size fits all.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Being a mother is complicated. Just when you figure out how to raise your toddlers, they are school age, then teens, and then adults. But there is one thing you can always do for them that they will never grow out of: you can pray. These two books will ignite you to be a prayer warrior for your children: Every Child Needs a Praying Mom, by Fern Nichols (founder of Moms in Prayer International, formerly Moms In Touch) and The Power of a Praying Parent, by Stormie Omartian. Prayer connects the resources of heaven to our desperate needs here on earth.

Let’s Pray

Lord, give me fresh passion to worry less and pray more for my children, entrusting them to you.

One Year Bible Reading

Judges 1:1–2:9; Luke 21:29–22:13; Psalm 90:1–91:16; Proverbs 13:24-25