Short on Wisdom

While reading through Proverbs 3, the part that really spoke to me were verses 11-12:

• My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Nobody likes getting into trouble, especially my two boys.  No...they're not just boys...they are classic examples of "strong willed boys".  They want to do what they want, when they want, the way they want.  So we have a big challenge in our parenting, because in our discipline (which means teaching and training) we need to find creative ways to help our boys want to listen...to make them want to do what we want them to do.  Our goals are similar to most parents - to help our children grow into mature individuals who understand right from wrong, who have strong morals and positive values and to develop a deep foundation spiritually.  In a lot of what we do, we try to allow natural consequences to teach a lesson...like when they're jumping off the stairs, or running too fast through the house.  Telling them to stop running makes them want to run more!  Letting them trip and stub their toe, or fall when they jump and hurt their knees...that creates a lasting impression in their minds that creates an understanding for the next time they want to take those risks.  They develop their own sense of what's good and bad behavior...maybe not what an adult would label as "wisdom", but it's a start!

Reading these two verses in Proverbs 3 is an example of how God uses the same loving discipline to teach and to train us...so that on our journey of faith we are able to develop understanding of right and wrong, discernment to make wise choices, patience, and trust in the Lord's ability to provide for us.