Getting my butt whipped
My dad was a elementary school principle for over 30 years. During that span of time he administered lots of “correction”. During his days the paddle was the chosen form of correction. He was an expert. I know! I felt his craft.
Dad was exacting but very loving. Every time he adjusted my behavior he followed a pattern. We would discuss what I had done, why I have done it, and then administer the proper punishment followed by lots of love. Every time he did this, which was often, I just loved him more and wanted to be a better boy. His discipline didn’t drive me away from him but to him. Many times my repentance was short lived and I would return to the same behaviors. But dad never gave up on me. He keep guiding me and loving me. As I got older his correction changed from “the rod” to removal of privileges. Even as a grown man dad was still guiding through loving correction. He loved me enough to give me the leverage to self correct through his wisdom and observation. The goal was not about him but me. Dad was not managing his image, he was loving his son.
I really miss my dad!
As of late God has been lovingly correcting me. His pattern is so much like my dad’s. I am experiencing a brokenness and repentance that is causing me to love God more. He cares enough about me to keep working on me. He is using His word, prayer, other believers, and circumstances to guide me. I am not enjoying this season of correction and I will be glad when it is over. However, I desire to love God deeper and allow Him to use my life. I know that life is not about me. I know that my life is about Jesus, but God’s correction is about me.
In the church world we don’t talk much about spiritual correction and we should. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Maybe we could go through this together, just a thought.
Dad was exacting but very loving. Every time he adjusted my behavior he followed a pattern. We would discuss what I had done, why I have done it, and then administer the proper punishment followed by lots of love. Every time he did this, which was often, I just loved him more and wanted to be a better boy. His discipline didn’t drive me away from him but to him. Many times my repentance was short lived and I would return to the same behaviors. But dad never gave up on me. He keep guiding me and loving me. As I got older his correction changed from “the rod” to removal of privileges. Even as a grown man dad was still guiding through loving correction. He loved me enough to give me the leverage to self correct through his wisdom and observation. The goal was not about him but me. Dad was not managing his image, he was loving his son.
I really miss my dad!
As of late God has been lovingly correcting me. His pattern is so much like my dad’s. I am experiencing a brokenness and repentance that is causing me to love God more. He cares enough about me to keep working on me. He is using His word, prayer, other believers, and circumstances to guide me. I am not enjoying this season of correction and I will be glad when it is over. However, I desire to love God deeper and allow Him to use my life. I know that life is not about me. I know that my life is about Jesus, but God’s correction is about me.
In the church world we don’t talk much about spiritual correction and we should. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Maybe we could go through this together, just a thought.
Labels: self leadership
posted by Scott Weatherford at
10:30 AM
2 Comments:
It is His Kindness that leads to repentance. I have found, in my life, that having people point out all that I am doing wrong does not seem to change my behavior. It may give me an opportunity to "feel bad about myself" or "be rebellious" but it does not make me "a better person".
However, when someone comes to me in humility, and tells me that they care about me and are noticing this or that, I tend to listen. I realize that they are not "enjoying" pointing the finger but want the very best for me. There are various ways that we fall under the discipline of the Lord. Sometimes we are reading His Word and fall under conviction. Sometimes it is through circumstances. I have found that I respond best when HE lovingly calls me aside (one on one)and speaks gently into my heart. It is HIS KINDNESS that leads me to repentance. His goal is not to embarrass me. His goal is to remind me who I am in HIM. Then, HE challenges me to live that way!
By
Jim, At
April 12, 2008 1:08 PM
growing up in a home that wasn't.....let's just say balanced... i had a very skewed view of discipline, so for me when i got saved and everything wasn't better instantly i thought man i had screwed something up majorly! i mean isn't christianity supposed to be easier than living in the world???? nope! as i began drawing closer to Him i realized that discipline equals :love: beautiful transforming love, first and foremost, but also an opportunity to be refined over and over....a chance to be molded and re-molded by the ultimate potter into His perfect design....discipline hurts initially, but boy look at the blessing of harvest!!!!
i love ya be encouraged that you are still being reshaped into an even more amazing design....and thank you most of all for being transparent! we certainly don't need to live in embarresment of discipline, but delight in His transforming love!
By
kris, At
April 14, 2008 11:46 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home