Kids

I have a 3-year-old and he has a stubborn streak. Several times during the average day I will ask him to do something or not do something and he will refuse. Sometimes this comes with throwing a fit and it almost always ends with him sitting in time-out.

While sitting in time-out, he will scream and yell about how he doesn’t want to be in time-out. Eventually, he calms down, we talk, he apologizes, I forgive him, we pray, I assure him I still love him and he ends doing what I asked before the fits and time-out.

I have tried to explain to him dozens of times that when I tell him to do something or not do something it’s for his good. If he would just obey me in the first place, he wouldn’t have to go to time-out. He would be happier. I would be happier. Everything would be better. Of course, that message hasn’t gotten through.

Why Do I Do This?
Why do I go through the hassle of disciplining my child? Why do I tell him to do this and not do that? I’m trying to raise him to be wise, wise in the Lord and wise to live a good life. It would give me great joy to see both my kids grow up to love Jesus, be kind to others, and be wise in how they live their lives.

Often, when we talk about honoring our parents, we talk about obedience. There is a greater way we honor them, though. Obedience is great for a moment, but there is something that lasts longer. We can honor (or dishonor) our parents by how we live our lives.

So, this Father’s Day. Tell your dad you love him. Listen and obey. But also, let us honor our fathers not only in obedience, but in how we live.

Heavenly Father,

You have given us parents for our own good, that we may be well cared for and trained up in all wisdom. Help me to live in such as way to to bring honor to my parents. Help me also to honor You, my heavenly Father.

Amen.