During tough times is when we draw closer to Jesus.
A few weeks ago Rachel and I were at the Ridgeley’s house watching the kids for the week. Bethany had a tough week. Being away from her crib and her toys and her home and her schedule stretched her out as a person at almost two years old. Well, with all the crying and the tough times she went through something extraordinary came out of that week, her and I grew closer together. Now, let me explain. One day, probably the hardest day of all for her while we were there, the third day into our stay, Bethany was just having a hard time with everything. She had a tough time at breakfast listening to her mother and I. She had a tough time playing in her toy area. She was having a tough time getting along with everyone. She was simply having a very tough day. So, a little after lunch she did something wrong that I had to give her a spanking for. Rachel and I knew as good parents that we had to let her know that even if she’s in a difficult environment where she feels uncomfortable she still needs to obey her mother and father. Well, after I disciplined her, as always I picked her up in my arms, held her close and prayed and asked Jesus to help her obey and do what is right. Well, after that the most extraordinary thing happened, as I began to put her down, she grabbed the sides of my head with both hands and pulled me close to her and she gave me the biggest kiss ever pressing my face up against hers. With a big smile I put her down and she laughed and I just knew that she was starting to understand that mommy and I don’t want to have to spank her but that we love her so much we want her to learn to do right no matter where she goes or who is surrounding her life.
You see, even when we are in a tough environment as Christians, God still expects us to obey Him and do what is right. And when we don’t He doesn’t give us a pass but He disciplines us. The coolest thing is if we don’t harden our hearts we’ll sense His incredible love through the discipline and it will only make us want to get closer to Him.
