Here are 10 Things I had to remind myself today when the job of correcting my children felt especially difficult…
1. You disobey the Lord…and He is the perfect Father.
2. His kindness leads us to repentance.
3. God disciplines those He loves.
4. Your child’s disobedience does not measure your value any more than his obedience showcases your achievement.
5. Your child’s disobedience teaches you dependence on God.
6. And sometimes it’s more than dependence He’s after, it’s complete desperation for Him.
7. Your child is clearly a sinner, and needs to hear the truth of the Gospel, and see it lived out through you.
8. Times of correction serve to remind, or establish within your child, his own sense of need for a Savior.
9. It’s not good behavior you really desire…you want his heart.
10. Your child is a person, not a project.
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Thank you for this post. It is exactly what I needed to read – and pray.
Thank you. Calla has been more than the usual handful lately, so reading these reminders really helps my heart.
Thank you Ruth! What wonderful,biblical reminders. I have one blessing in particular,who especially likes to challenge at all times. These are great truths to remember when I speak with him.
Btw, I think you should make more nursing cover-ups.I’d buy one! I like simple patterns with lighter colors.;)
Great post!
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Can I use this in a MOPS newsletter?
This was such a timely thing to discover! My daughter is two, and she is extremely strong-willed by nature, which I suspect with serve her well in her Christianity later on, but it sure makes my job harder!
P.S. Forgive my ignorance, but is a classical educator in reference to classical music? I’m dying to teach my daughter to play the piano, but I don’t know how, and most instructors don’t start until much later.
Disney, a “classical educator” is in reference to Classical Education, which follows the educational model that built Western Civilization, based heavily on Latin, and Greek/Roman history. It’s a bit difficult to explain, but “Rediscovering the Lost Tools of Learning”, by Doug Wilson, and “The Well-Trained Mind”, by Susan Wise Bauer, are some of the more notable current reads on the subject.
Found your blog on Google and was so glad i did. That was a excellent read. I have a quick question.Is it OK if i send you an email???…
Thanks so much! Parenting is so much more than giving our children the law. They need the gospel just as much as we do. I’ll be passing this along.
Wow, I absolutely love this. This list says, succinctly and simply, what I oftentimes try to say and remember in far too many words. Thank you! (It’s still blessing parents many years later!
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I’m so glad you were encouraged, Kara! Thanks for the comment…I’m still preaching to my own heart about all these DAILY!
This is a hot topic for me right now. I try so hard to focus on God’s mercy and grace…thank you for an excellent list of reminders for us!
You are so welcome, Kelli. I think this is a continual area for growth in my life! I wrote this 2.5 years ago, and I’m still working on it!
number 6 made me laugh and rang SO true. (mama of a 2 year old boy, can I get an amen?)
Thanks for your comment, Rose! I’ve got a 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 yr. old right now, and boy, I feel desperate quite often!
thank you so much for the 10 things to remember this are all my guides always if my children disobey me and ii glorify the name of the lLord for he used mant servants of Him in order to spread His word.
Ruth,
Thank you so much for writing this post! Its full of wisdom! And thank you for visiting my blog! Statement #4 was my favorite! Can you tell by my post?
Point #10 was just what I needed to remember this morning.
Thank you! God’s timing is perfect. I blogged tonight and credited you on this post and added it to mine.
I know this is an old blog post, but it is really really wonderful for helping me regain perspective. Thank you so much! I will be printing it out and posting it on my wall so I can see it daily…well minute-ly really.
Thanks so much for your encouragement and wisdom.
Lacey, I’m so glad you found encouragement in this post. It was written out of my own struggles and sinfulness in parenting, so I’m blessed that the Lord uses my frailty!
Thank you for this list. Especially #10. I cannot express my frustration enough that so many parents feed their need to be important by using their child as a gauge for their success. It ties well into #4, which I tell myself often when my son is well behaved. So many tell me I’m doing a good job… well, yeah, I am. He’s clean, well nourished and getting his education. That said, his manners, talent and general goodness didn’t come from me.
Hi1 just found your blog; #4 made me reflect a lot. Thanks for this list!
Welcome, Maria! Glad you found this useful!
What an encouragement! Each statement said a lot to my heart but #9 was huge for me! To remember that God does not want our obedience he wants our heart is even more of an encouragement to me than to remember this when disciplining my 3 year old. it is so easy to fall into the routine of obedience when really what I need to do is give over my heart. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks for the feedback, Deanna! Praise the Lord he is after our hearts as well as our obedience too!
This is exactly what I need right now, thank you! And praise God for the wisdom He gives to His followers and the means to share it with others <3
I’m so glad it blessed you at just the right time, Jessica! We all need the reminder…I know I need it daily!
Thanks! Very helpful. Being a mom is the hardest but most rewarding job. I just want my kids to grow in Christ.
One to be printed and read every morning.
I love this. I would like to share it with friends.