The pancakes bubbled up and I grabbed the spatula to flip them just as something slammed into the back of my knees, forcing them into the oven glass. I turned to see Jelly holding an empty laundry basket against my legs. 

“I need you to take that back into the living room while I’m making breakfast for dinner, boy,” I calmly told him.

He laughed and spun around, sliding the basket around the kitchen island and out into the living room. Only moments later he was in the kitchen again. 

He was reminded many times that evening not to be racing and sliding through the kitchen while I was making dinner. We were running behind schedule and I didn’t have time for him to help cook and the safest place for him was in a different room.

He repeatedly disobeyed, coming in the kitchen with the basket, sliding around and using it to climb up the counters.

I slid the hot pancakes onto a serving plate before scooping Jelly up and carrying him out of the room. I sat him in the corner and sternly reprimanded him. “I have already told you several times not to run through the kitchen while I’m cooking. Someone is going to get hurt, possibly burned, if you continue disobeying. Do NOT get up from here until your dinner is ready!”

Three year olds can be very stubborn and as soon as my back was turned, he chose disobedience again.

So when he finally slipped and hit his head on the bottom corner of the island, I had no sympathy. I wanted to shake my head and say, “You did this to yourself!”

(My daughters had no problem telling him, “If you’re gonna be dumb (and disobey), you gotta be tough (and suffer the consequences)!”)

You did this to yourself.

Praise God the creator of the universe does not say to me when I repeatedly disobey, “You did this to yourself!”

In His infinite love, He is merciful again and again.

Does He let my disobedience slide? Of course not. He chastises and corrects me, and gives me wisdom to make better decisions every single time. If my bad choices were never corrected, I would never grow closer to Christ. I would never grow in maturity. I would never encourage or be encouraged by other believers.

What a sad life that would be. Praise God for His correction. It comes from the Father’s love and it is for our GOOD. It draws us nearer to God and brings us to our knees, to true repentance. 

Job 5:17 says, “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore despise not the chastening of the Almighty.”

Be happy God corrects us! Receive His correction with a proper spirit; humble yourself and know that God works all things for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Helpful verses to remind us not to despise the Lord’s discipline:

* Psalm 3:11-12

 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest his correction. For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.

* Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

* Jeremiah 31:18

I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the Lord my God.

* Hebrews 12:5

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebuked you.”
These verses are so refreshing to me and a great reminder to accept the Lord’s chastisement when I disobey. It’s because He LOVES me enough to correct me and draw me nearer to him. Now if only I can make my son realize I correct him for his GOOD and not just to keep him from having fun, we will be doing good!

What was your heart attitude the last time God chastised you? Leave us a note in the comments and share your wisdom!

Until next time,

The Farm Wyfe