The Well

WALKING THE WALK?

Growing up, discipline – true discipline – wasn't used in my home. I pretty much did whatever I wanted to and that wasn't love. However, punishment was used and that consisted of a lot of yelling and beatings. That happens a lot in homes where divorce hits. This type of punishment makes a child feel stupid. So, as a child my basic desire was to be loved, and that became a preoccupation of mine.

Therefore, I learned to accept any form of love available. Sadly, most of the time it was just that – a form of love; not real love. I exchanged the truth for a lie. I grew up hungry and settled for the cheap side of love. True love for children is to discipline them, teaching them values and responsibility.

R. C. Sproul in his book, Pleasing God, says, "Solomon contrasted foolishness with wisdom, wealth with poverty, and falsehood with truth. Keep the highest standards for God in your thoughts and actions." When we learn that discipline leads to wisdom, our lives become more enriched with our children and with others. Walking in truth gives liberty.

Jesus condensed the Christian life in a few words, "Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise" (Luke 6:31 NCV). We call this verse the Golden Rule. In short it is a law of gold, more precious than diamonds and rubies. Most children can recite the Golden Rule, but few live it because they haven't seen it modeled. Hope stems from love and acceptance of the person where they are on their journey of faith.

Only God knows our heart, but our children know us by how we behave in the privacy of our homes and if we walk the walk and talk the talk. Actions speak louder than words. When we treat people as we want to be treated, and give honor the Lord, we are better able to lie down at night and truly rest in the Lord and His protection and provision for our children. Let today be a new day for having a new attitude with your children.