My oldest son is 19. When he was about 19 months old he burned his hands one Thanksgiving. It was really one of those freak accidents that every parent feels bad about. His mother was taking the turkey out of the oven, and while she was putting it on the counter, he bent over and placed both of his hands on the open oven door!
I know all of the parents out there just cringed - because it's the worst possible thing ever to see or hear about children getting hurt. The thing is... if the situation was different, if there were no turkey in her hands, if she were able... she would have done anything to keep that accident from happening.
Parents who don't believe in yelling would yell at their child. Parents who don't believe in spanking would instinctively swat at their child. Others would violently lunge at their child and snatch the back of their pant to remove them from the danger.
We, as parents would do anything to correct our children and keep them from harm... even if it startled the child or caused the child to cry, That's because we know the pain of the consequences of the danger that they were in.
Our oldest son is fine. The burns weren't bad, thank God. He doesn't even remember that this happened and there are no long lasting effects. That's a good thing... but here's something to think about...
Everyone out there - parent or non-parent would have done anything in their power to prevent this from happening because at some fundamental level, we understand that kids do not know better and they need to be protected from dangers that they do not understand.
So, my question of the day is this... Where in your life is God correcting you? None of us are perfect. If there isn't an area where God isn't trying to make you better then something is wrong! God has a track record of helping us live according a holy life. If we aren't hearing from God ways that we can become better Christians, we need to wonder why... Either God is speaking and we've learned to tune Him out, or maybe our relationship with our heavenly Father isn't quite where we thought it was....
Proverbs 13:24 (NLT) Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
Hebrews 12:5-7 (NLT) And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by his father?"
Revelation 3:19-20 (NLT) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
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