Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Picture in your mind a group of children laughing, playing and having a great time. I mean these youngin’s have no bills to pay, no job to go to, no car to fill up and so much more. We desire a bright future for them and we strive to make this the best world for them. After all, what is a home without children? Quiet — that’s what it is. I mean, if evolution were true, how come moms only have two hands? Children scream, they fuss, they complain, they cough on you, sneeze on you, pee and poop on you … if they are old enough to complain about what I put in their lunch box, they are old enough to make their own (as I put their lunch together just as they desire). It’s as if they don’t appreciate the fact that I stay up all night overthinking for them.

We do our best and feel run down. We come to our wits end to discipline and raise them and right when we get to our breaking point they come hug us and say they love us. Then we feel bad for telling them “just a minute,” when in reality, we are really just hoping they forget.

Have you ever had an Elisha moment? You may not be aware of this story, but in 2 Kings 2, Elijah has been taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire and his student, Elisha, is now the go to man. Elisha is probably worried, stressed, anxious and I’d be talking to myself on my way to my next stop. All of a sudden as he is going up a mountain to his next stop, a group of children come out and start bullying him and calling him names: “What’s up, you old baldhead,” “Go on up, baldhead.” They keep making fun of the fact that he is bald headed and he, like us when our children push us to the edge, SNAPS! This story tells us he calls out two bears to come beat the fool out of these “kids.” How’s that for discipline! No, don’t do that.

Even though Proverbs 23:13-14 says to beat your “kid,” save their soul, they won’t die (paraphrased, of course), we don’t want to hurt them, however, we do need to lead and discipline. Ephesians 6 says for children to obey their parents. Proverbs speaks over and over again of leading and disciplining your children. Hebrews 12 talks of discipline and how while we don’t like it, we need it. Proverbs 22 tells to train a child in the way they should go. Best way to train and lead? By example. Shine bright!

 

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of the Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail.com