Pressing On with Discipline

Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to act according to His good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

Our middle child, who we refer to as our "sweet and spicy" daughter, is a rule analyzer and debater. I've had visions of her cross-examining me with impressive success, as I sit crouched down in an ominous court room. Did I mention she is only three years of age? Our discipline approach is quite simple. Here are the rules. Here are the consequences. Whining and crying will not change our authority. Our oldest has fallen into place (most days) as if he's in a military camp. Our bright eyed girl has not.

Recently, my husband and I have examined ourselves as well as our discipline approach. Are we perfectly obedient to our Father in heaven? Well, no. Paul writes in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own." There we go. We, the parents, know that true obedience can only be God working in us "according to His good purpose." We get our strength from being in Christ. We pray more fervently than we even realize, not only at meal times and bed time, but with this little inner voice, throughout the day because we know the importance of being controlled by the Spirit rather than our very real and present sinful nature.

How can the above realization shape our discipline? #1- We will not soften in our expectations as we are "pressing on" for our kids to make God's instructions their own. #2- We will encourage our children by linking specific behaviors with specific Biblical principles. #3- We will communicate our forgiveness to our children and model asking for forgiveness from our Heavenly Father. This will help them see that Christ Jesus has made us His own through forgiveness of sins. I must confess that we were doing a lot more of #1 than we were numbers 2 and 3. Praise be to God for His perfect love and disicpline. After all, where would we be without the grace of God?

Dear Lord, daily we sin and fall short of Your glory. Forgive us. Renew us. Help us to "do all things without grumbling or questioning that we may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish..." Philippians 2:14a. Lord, we know it is only because You have made us Your own through the blood of Jesus that we are able to illuminate His goodness that is in us. Help us parents be patient with our kids, remembering we are all "pressing on" as Your children. AMEN.