When I was a little girl I dreamed of being the best mom ever. I dreamed of how I would reason with my reasonable children, they would be able to master their sin nature, and be sparkling sources of pride and joy.
I did not dream of THIS!
But it has become a dream coming true.
Pita is an impulsive sort of fellow. We have had to deal with defiance with many strategies which include removing certain items from his reach. These would include computers, game boys, and television. It's a slippery slope defiance. It is almost more addicting than the items we lose while pursuing it.
We become addicted to attention.
Imagine the emotions that whelled up inside of me as I discovered yet another act of defiance less than 24 hours after being punished from a previous infraction.
I walked out to my kitchen following the discovery to find my tulips, my favourite flowers, drooping and sad. That's how I felt, droopy and sad.
"The anger of man does NOT bring about the righteousness of God".
It kept echoing in my mind.
I fed my poor, starving and thirsty flowers some soothing warm water with a touch of sugar to revive them and walked away.
As I walked away I prayed. "Lord, I don't want to punish him to make me feel good. I want to discipline him to love righteousness...Your righteousness".
It was time to pick Pita up from school. I still had no idea of what I was going to do with the dear child. I prayed that I would not be overcome with anger or start to lecture.
"If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives generously to all, WITHOUT REPROACH, and it will be given to him. "
As I drove I prayed and as I prayed my pounding heart slowed. My anger subsided. And I listened to that still small voice tell me that my flowers and my son are not so different. Both crave attention and both need water.
I exposed my knowledge to a very solemn Pita and as we drove in silence, a perfect opportunity to lecture the poor boy, became the perfect opportunity to pray.
The punishment was laid out calmly.
When I asked him if he had anything to say, he said, " I would say I'm sorry but you won't believe me."
The offense was clearly exposed.
He continued..."but will for forgive me".
Tears streaming down my face I affirmed that he was forgiven.
The next day while reading a Bible Study homework assignment I was directed to 2 Timothy 3:16,
"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for reproof, teaching and training in righteousness".
This verse was like ointment to my weary soul. You see, when I recognized that my anger was not going to bring about the righteousness of God, I begged God for wisdom for what would...
"All scripture...is profitable for...training in righteousness".
God is not one to make promises lightly. When He instructs us to ask for wisdom and He promises to give it...He does...and He did.
Have I arrived? Do I know exactly how to disciple my sweet Pita, or any of my children for that matter? No. But I am slowly learning that all I need "for life and godliness" has been provided for me in the Word of God.
When I returned home after doing my studying I looked on my window sill to find my droopy, thirsty tulips looking healthy and strong...
Coincidence? No! Tacky object lesson? Absolutely.
I pray that I will give to my children what I was eager to give my flowers...the Water of Life!
