Child Discipline... As easy as 1, 2, 3

If you believe that, send me $100. I promise, I'll turn it into millions! (Note to the feds: This is not a Ponzi scheme. I do not intend to collect any money whatsoever.... so move along. Investigate the guys driving $100,000 cars with tax forms saying they make $40,000/year. Thank you!)

What was I saying? Oh yeah.... Child discipline. It's NOT as easy as 1, 2, 3. If it was, God would have put the instructions in the Bible: The 10 commandments of child discipline. Right next to the original 10 Commandments. That would have been nice.

Instead, God gave us these wonderful verses:

• Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
• 1 Corinthians 7:7, "...But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."
• Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Each one of us is uniquely created, knitted together by God with gifts and a plan that is as individual as we are. No two people are alike. We know that as adults, but we expect cookie cutter kids. It just doesn't work like that. They're born to be them. Each one different. Each one a special gift from God.

Yet we try -- hard -- to find the discipline method to ensure they turn out okay, to know right from wrong and actually live it. We google the web to discover techniques on how to teach our kids hitting is bad, how to overcome tantrums, or help the picky eater learn to eat even one vegetable. 

We'll never find the answer on the internet. Never.

Child discipline... As easy as 1, 2, 3 is really more about us than them. 

1. Are we willing to ask God to show us our children's hearts? To teach us to address each one uniquely and specifically as He designed them?
2. Will we allow God to reveal our own hearts to us? The fears, the dreams, the expectations we place on our kids. Unfairly!
3. Will we open our hearts to being transformed, no longer conforming to the ways (the methods) of man? Will we allow Him to fill us with His will for our lives as parents?

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Even in discipline, we must open our hearts and minds to God. We must listen to His instruction and seek His guidance for each child and each situation.

There is no "easy as 1, 2, 3." Really, if life was that simple, wouldn't it be boring?

Take a minute today to praise God for your kids' unique gifts. That little personality that drives you batty will one day influence the world. Ask God for wisdom to understand how your feelings influence your parenting expectations. Thank Him for your precious gifts, even in the moments you want to strangle them! 

Lots of love!