My Kids and a Lesson in Obedience

So last night I had a little talk with my boys on obedience. It's been an issue for a while now and it's more than likely because I'm a bit of a free spirit. I don’t like restrictions or having to be locked up in my room all the time, so I don’t do it to them. Wait, I just read that over and it’s a lie I tell myself. The truth is it’s easier to not have to deal with a whining and complaining child who is in time out, than one who is with you having fun. I like watching TV and playing games with my boys, so I crack under the pressure when they are punished. I don’t allow all the punishments to follow through. Also with all of the things I have to get done I am usually distracted and they take advantage of it. They are smart little buggers. Mom’s over there doing something else she won’t notice I’m not focusing on my homework or cleaning my room. The end result of 8 years of this same pattern is twins with attitude and difficulty understanding what real punishment is. This has caused an issue in obedience in some areas.

Last night I sent them off to bed and as usual it was a major drama. The usual culprit Jacob started playing with his brother and not letting him sleep. Since I have been working on patience (I’ll share that in another blog) I called him over and asked him to sit on the bathroom toilet and think about his actions. My boys hate the bathroom. They are scared of it and have been since they were really little. Mind you the door was open and he could look directly at me. Anyway, he quickly told me he thought about it after one minute of sitting. And I told him he really needed to think about it as I looked for a scripture to discuss with him.  I found the following.

“The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by vultures." - Proverbs 30:17 

The look on his face was priceless. I know it’s an intense scripture that would scare the stuffing out of any child. I did explain that it was not literal and that it meant that God frowns upon any child who disrespects or disobeys their parents. I also explained that there are consequences for these actions and that is what the ravens pecking out the eyes represents. We then went into a longer discussion on how our family needs to grow in obedience. Not only theirs to their father and me, but mine to God. The night ended on a good note and hugs and kisses were given all around.

Our children are a reflection of who we are. In seeing my boys lack of discipline and obedience I saw myself in my relationship with God. I need to go sit on the toilet and reflect on the things I have done that go against what God has instructed me. Maybe then I will appreciate Him more and see how much He loves me.

With Love,

The Clumsy Christian