No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11
Well, I suppose it worked. Overall, I’m pretty sure I turned out ok. I’ve only had one speeding ticket, had one accident, and have never spent a night in jail. Of course, that may have to do with the fact that I am a pastor. That doesn’t mean I’m too good to go to jail, it only means that church people don’t take too kindly to their preacher being arrested and going there.
Recently, I told my oldest sister that the older I get, the more I appreciate my Momma and Daddy. I’m pretty sure that so many of the things I get right are because of my upbringing and of course, they were responsible for that. Momma and Daddy shared the discipline part of child rearing. Momma was more the “go get a switch from the bamboo bush” and Daddy was the more “wait a minute while I get my belt off” kinda guy. But you know, never was their discipline out of balance and more than once…I got off scot-free.
One time I chucked a rock at a car and Daddy promised me a lesson I wouldn’t soon forget. When we got home, I ran inside and hid under the dining room table. For whatever reason, he chose to extend a boatload of grace and I know two things. First, I was plenty grateful and second, I never chucked another rock at another car. Lesson learned.
Every once in a while, Daddy would get more creative. While I can’t remember the why or the frequency, he had one special way of helping me learn. You see, in Florida we had these prickly things called “sand spurs.” They could and would grow anywhere but they seemed partial to our front yard. Well, one of Daddy’s ways of dealing with them is also one of the ways he dealt with me. When I did something that was punishment worthy, he would take me to the front yard and have me pull the sand spurs up and out of the yard. Like a goat mowing the yard, I would work my way over the right side, it was always the right side of the yard pulling every sand spur I could find. I really, really didn’t like it and I am sure whatever crime I committed, I learned quickly to not do it again.
The Bible, God’s book, also teaches us about discipline. It says, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” We don’t know who wrote the book of Hebrews but whoever it was seemed to know a lot about switches, belts, and sand spurs. And do you know what else? They were certainly right. Discipline is never, ever pleasant.
So, looking back I am glad that my Momma and Daddy cared enough to try and raise me right. And I am glad that my Dearest Daddy in heaven does too. He knows when I’m wrong and He knows when and what is needed to put me back on the straight and narrow. And even better than my parents, He is never excessive and is always graceful. I like that…a lot. No matter the crime, His actions toward me have one purpose—redemption. I can trust Him no matter what and when I need some correction, like everything else, I know for sure, “He’s got that.” Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 