I am currently in a women's bible study at our church that is reading the bible through. This week we are studying "Numbers." Not really a book I go to frequently when I pick up my bible. Maybe you don't either. I have been humbled to see God speak to me here and now through this book I may not have once thought of as the most approachable one of all.
We have been dealing with some behavior stuff lately (what parent of young children isn't). It's called D.I.S.R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Ugh! It stinks! We often feel like our 4 year old talks to us as if he's a teenager. Us: "Please pick up that toy and put it where it belongs." Him: "No, I don't want to. I won't do it. No. You can't make me. I want to do xyz." And he runs away. That might seem like a silly example, but there have been moments where I seriously just feel like he treats me worse than the ground he walks on, like he has not one care in the world but himself--ever. Now, I know he's a preschooler, and his behavior is "normal" for his age. I also know he is not yet filled with the Holy Spirit to guide him as a believer. But Tom & I are not raising our boys to act this way. Our heart is that we want them to have a great respect for authority, which means they first learn with us as their parents, and then goes down the line from teachers, coaches and friends, ultimately to be transferred respecting God Himself, and obeying his Word.
Well, apparently God had some problems of his own getting the Israelites to respect him back in the day too. It's amazing to see the similarities. He rescued them from Egypt (Exodus), from slavery, brought them out of that land literally by his own hand. They praised him & loved Him. Then he lovingly laid down some laws for them (Leviticus) to protect them, and to show them how to live abundant lives in fellowship with Him and other people. They obeyed...pretty much, at first. Then God started taking them on their journey to the promised land. He led them by the hand, never leaving their side. But as soon as they got their glimpse of that land, they forgot all about God. They went their own way, they got scared, they complained that God had abandoned them and did not want to give them good things. They actually asked to go back to a life of slavery, instead of walking obedient and believing God actually did know best!
So God had no choice but to discipline his children. The Isrealites began wandering for 40 years in the desert until all the people who had complained and grumbled against God had died off, and then their children could go into the promised land (along with Joshua and Caleb, who did choose to believe God).
Where am I going with this, you may ask? I guess I've been pretty discouraged by the respect issue lately. Feeling like we must be doing something majorly wrong here. Something is not getting through. Our kids are on their way to becoming spoiled brats. But I think God is teaching me that this is NOT a new thing! And he's teaching me how to love my kids like he so faithfully loves us. He does discipline. In Hebrews 12 he reveals his motive behind discipline...LOVE. Of course! Like a father loves his son.
"...God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." Heb. 12:10
God doesn't
make us respect him. He doesn't demand it. Yet he faithfully disciplines. He might have felt angry and even sad when the Israelites chose not to believe His promises and walk in obedience, but He didn't lash out. He just gave them a consequence that fit the behavior.
We are praying for wisdom now in this. Lord, guide us to be parents who honor you and love our kids well. Help us not to demand respect or obedience out of our own selfishness, but help us to gently guide these boys in your ways. Give us wisdom on how we should do this in practical ways, with each moment that arises. Thank you, father, for the gift of your Word. It is timeless.
