As I gathered all necessary diaper bag supplies, my kids scrambled around trying to get ready. I called out, “Get your shoes we are leaving in a few minutes.” I beamed with parental pride as two of my three kids ran up to me with shoes on and coats in hand. My moment was dashed when I suddenly heard “I can’t find my shoes” coming from my son. I have reminded my son on many occasions that he was to keep his shoes in their proper place. Due to the culmination of moments like this, I responded harshly which caused my son to cry. A few minutes later I found his shoes where they did not belong and again responded unkindly to him. He put on his shoes and we are finally ready to leave.
As we head toward the door I realized I did not have my keys. Where are my keys? I looked in the proper place only to find it empty. To no avail, I looked in my purse, under the couch, by the computer and in my bedroom. I became very frustrated. Although I suspected my son would love to have his chance, I realized that no one could scold me for such irresponsibility. Finally I find my keys in my coat pocket. We are now ready to leave for the grocery store.
As we head into the store I hear a child begin to cry. A little boy was crying about losing a toy he brought into the store. I smiled and felt sympathetic for his little boy and his lost beloved toy. The mother was not as sympathetic. She harshly scolded him for losing the toy. It seemed she warned him about bringing the toy into the store in the first place. She said a few unkind things which set her son off into more tears. I thought she should have displayed more patience. That thought was betrayed by the thought that I was looking into a mirror. I had sympathy and patience for this little boy but none for my own and his missing shoe. I felt ashamed.
I was ashamed of the judgment I placed the mom of the crying little boy. I was ashamed because I grew slack on my responsibility with my own kids. Why do we sometimes give in or lose patience? After seeing myself through the lens the Lord provided, I knew I lost sight of why I was raising my kids. Correction, why I was raising God’s beloved that he generously put in my care.
In Proverbs 22:6 it says, “Train a child up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” What was I training when I yelled because I was impatient or gave in because I was worn down? A parent needs to balance discipline and love in a way that trains the child to love and obey the Lord. These children we are raising are royalty in the making! How do you think God wants his beloved treated? We get so caught up in daily chores that we sometimes forget that every moment is molding our child. Our children only belong to us because a loving God chose us to parent in his place. Yes, there will be challenging moments. However, I think God is aware of those challenges. When those challenges arise we are to cling to His Word and promises rather than lash out or give in because of fatigue or frustration. Children look to parents like they are gods. After all, parents have the authority to take your game system away right? Think about how your heavenly Father treats you. Does He have patience for you when you stumble? Does He chastise for his benefit or yours? In Hebrews 12:10, we are told that God chastises for our profit and because of his love for us. Lean on the Lord with frustrations before taking it out on God’s beloved. Unless you are disciplining in the same spirit than the bully on the playground has nothing on you.