Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

This verse is currently considered politically incorrect, but its wisdom is evident all around us. Just yesterday I watched a video of a father talking about how he had taken a gaming machine away from his daughter, and how he had downgraded his son from a smart phone to a flip phone, and how other parents had said to him, “How can you do that? I wish I could do that!” His response to them had been, “Who’s the parent in your house?” Respect for authority is essential for a peaceful, productive life, and that starts in the home. The current popularity in the US of violent protests started in thousands upon thousands of homes, where parents didn’t care accurately for their children. Obviously, many of these people were never told, NO, when they were small. Proper discipline from parents grows good self-discipline in their children. This doesn’t excuse abuse, but the current fad of “gentle parenting” violates the truth in this verse and invites tragedy. It has long been recognized that our physical fathers have a great deal to do with our concept of God, since He is our heavenly Father. God never picks on us, but neither does He spoil us. He delights to do good things for us, but He knows what we need and what isn’t good for us. Parents need divine wisdom in raising their children, and no human parent ever gets it perfectly, but as James said, when we realize we lack wisdom, we need to ask God, and He will provide it. (James 1:5) Hebrews 12 famously applies parenting to our relationship with God, and that’s entirely appropriate. When we are appropriately strong with our children, they will later be grateful, even if they aren’t at the time. When we indulge them unreasonably, later everyone will regret it.

I don’t remember many incidents of direct punishment when I was growing up, but I certainly had boundaries. My parents encouraged me to exercise my gifts and my interests, but they very appropriately told me no, on many occasions. I tried to be that way with my own children, and their lives since haven’t been perfect, but neither have they been disastrous. I am currently in the position of spiritual father to numbers of people, and the relationships there can get really complicated. I don’t have the automatic authority that comes with physical parenting, but I do have spiritual authority, and I must constantly seek God’s wisdom and guidance in exercising it. Likewise, I need to recognize God’s absolute authority in my own life, because if I’m not genuinely submitted to Him, His authority won’t operate through me as it should. I can’t be a good parent if I’m not relating rightly to my heavenly Father.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I’ve made some real blunders, particularly in spiritual parenting, over the years. Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You for continuing to discipline and grow me, as You know I need it. May I be a son who gives You joy, transmitting Your grace and love accurately to all, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!