It was a beautiful fall evening in Lorain, Ohio. My friends and I were sitting on the steps of The Garfield Elementary School when I looked up the street and saw the outline of a man against the setting sun. There was no doubt it was my Dad. He had a very distinct limp that set him apart from others.
So, when I saw the limp, I went limp. With great fear, I uttered, “Uh, Oh. Here comes my Dad.” Not that I expected him to join the “group” and enjoy the evening with us. I feared his arrival because I was disobedient.
“Be home before dark or else.” He never finished the “or else.” The “else” was always consistent with what I had done or not done. And, it was always something that would serve my best interests. The one “punishment” I most remember was having to read or practice the piano before going to be with my friends after school. On occasion, it took several hours of practice. And, on occasion, there was the “rod.”
But he was never unfair. Never inconsiderate. Never a disciplinarian without reason for his “chastisement.” What he did was done for my sake: to protect me from harming myself or others. How “Heavenly” Father like! His goal? My best!
So, it is with God. Whenever we put our wants ahead of His needs, hopefully, He will intervene and place us on the correct path. As His children, we can expect Him to use various means to correct us: perhaps a financial loss because of greed and lack of giving, or even suffering to draw us back to His side to make us plead for His mercy and grace and healing.
Prayer: Give us a willing spirit, Father, to accept Your discipline when we walk in paths that would harm us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Proverbs 3:11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
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