not too long ago, trey was having a really hard time with bad dreams (it went on for a long time - that's another story all together). anyway, around halloween this past year, we were reading a story before bed about how halloween got started. in the back of the book, the 2 tim 2:7 verse - the one about god not giving us a spirit of fear - was highlighted. as soon as i read it trey exclaimed, "momma, that's MY verse!" ahhh - what a moment! well, trey hid that verse in his heart and he has barely missed a night of quoting that scripture before closing his eyes.
well, i think spencer was feeling a bit left out so a couple days later he asked me to "find him a verse." i agreed and asked him if there was something that he wanted it to be about; he couldn't really think of anything. around that same time, we had been riding "school-learning-applying-motivation" roller coaster at the "way too cool for school", theme park with spence. his attitude was somewhat defeated and extremely dismissive (let me just say - not the best family vaca spot!). as i was searching for "his verse" i came across the verse in proverbs that i also read on 5/29 through s.o.a.p. - proverbs 12:1:
"to learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction."
i knew that was spence's verse! when i told him about it he was actually pretty stoked - i think mainly because he liked that the word stupid was in the bible! :)
okay, i know, my s.o.a.p. journaling isn't about how my kids can apply scripture, it's about how i can apply it to my own life. sooooo...me? love discipline? i don't know if i can honestly say that i'm spiritually mature enough to really claim that as truth in my own life yet. at least not to it's truest extent. that being said, i have definitely seen what blessings can come from discipline. yes, i said blessings - oh come on, if you're a parent you totally know what i'm talking about! i hope the day comes that i can really embrace my own times of discipline and correction. right now, i feel myself still throwing mini spiritual temper-tantrums when things don't go my way and my DAD calls me on the carpet and sometime has to chastise me.
the thing is: i have known discipline that humiliates, demeans, and wrecks me - discipline that doesn't bring about learning and growth; but i have also known the correction of my heavenly father that humbles, stretches, and strengthens me through an unfathomable amount of love, grace, and mercy. and the more i think about that discipline, the more i find myself longing for it. hmmm...maybe god has brought me a little farther along than i thought after all!
No comments:
Post a Comment