David, the Psalmist wrote, “For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts for a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning,” (Ps 30:5.) In Hebrews 12:11, the Bible aptly states, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
So why am I starting with scriptures? Because I’m a mom of two two-year-olds. Because I am in partnership to raise these boys, along with their brother, with the most amazing father these three knuckleheads could possibly have. And because they teach us both so much about life and more importantly, about God and His loving heart for us all.
Both two-year-olds have been particularly contrary these past few days, in alternating bouts. In between these spells of responding, “No!!!” to every, very reasonable request my husband and I make... (Get off the table, it’s bed time, come to the table and eat dinner, etc.) have been delightfully sweet, random proclamations of, “Momma, I happy.” Needless to say, discipline has been par for the course around here lately.
Hubby and I were discussing just this morning how hard it is...how much we hate fussing at or punishing or disciplining them. It breaks our hearts to hear them cry. But we also know if we give in to every whim or never stand firm, it will only get worse as they get older until we discover we have raised entitled brats with no self-control or self-discipline.
And yet, the past two mornings when they awaken, they run to us with such unabandoned joy. “Mommy! Daddy!” they each cry as they throw their arms around us and give sweet snuggles. These sweet boys went to bed sad or angry because they didn’t get their ways and we were compelled to correct them. My husband astutely noted, “They wake up so happy after they get in trouble...maybe we should always yell at them.” Obviously, he wasn’t serious about that. But his statement reminded me of what God said: though we weep through the night, joy comes in the morning. His anger lasts but a moment, but His favor for a lifetime.
And doesn’t God remind us time and again that He is the only perfect Father? He is the parent we strive to be, the ultimate example. My kids reminded me to be quick to forgive, to get over things, to let go of the sorrow and anger from being disciplined. Discipline will make me a better woman, just as I hope to do it right and help my kids become better men.
When you feel the sting of discipline, when you cry yourself to sleep, allow the Father to sing peace and joy over you as you rest. Awake with joy in the morning. Following the examples laid out by the Psalmist and a pair of two-year-old knuckleheads...
