A Trip to the Woodshed

Whew! Nobody likes to go to the woodshed. Recently I felt a little like I have been in God's woodshed. As a kid I lived on a dairy farm with all the animals, etc. We had a woodshed, but I was never taken there for any "correction" purposes. In fact, I was spoiled by my mom as the baby of the family. My older sister (5 years) is quick to point this out to me. She said I lied terribly but mother always sided with me and never believed her. Part of the hindrance to any spankings taking place was that I had a bone disease and was periodically casted around my waist and down the left leg to the knee. Obviously this precluded spankings.

I don't recall being "spoiled" but don't doubt that I was. In later years, after being born again, I understood the consequences that spoiled children must bear. Overbearing self-will and self-centeredness are two such consequences. Parents: please don't spoil your children. Of course there are right and wrong ways to discipline.

The writer of Hebrews stated that, as parents, we tend often to discipline because we are irritated, not necessarily for the child's good. Not so with our Father. It's hard to accept, but He does this because of His love, not to punish or to vent anger. Let's be open to His correction and re-direction. He is far better than a GPS. And far more accurate, as well.

"If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten...For they [human fathers] indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness..." (Hebrews 12:3-13)