Parenting is not for wimps my friends. Changing diapers, cleaning messes, catching bugs for a science project, and carpooling are the easy things. The real test comes when you must look into the face of your teary-eyed child, recognize his genuine repentance, and still enforce the consequence. The phrase "this hurts me more than it hurts you" doesn't just apply to spankings. Making a man out of a boy is no easy task.
Thinking back to the specific situation we were dealing with on the day that I posted that I still feel that little pinch in my chest. You know, that ache that comes with knowing that our children will sometimes experience pain and regret. The good news is that genuine repentance was present. The tough news is that we still had to enforce the consequence...and it made this momma cry. He was truly sorry but we had to reinforce the fact that sin has consequences. Mercy abounds, forgiveness is freely available, and we can face the consequences together through His grace. Discipling children is a divine calling - a sacred responsibility. When done well - raising our children will cost us something. Have you counted the cost?
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