Discipline

As with each new stage of your baby's life, there are joys and challenges!  We've recently entered new territory - Defiance.  It's so interesting to see that at the tender young age of 10 months, our child is now realizing that she can assert her independence.  Lately we've been encountering the beginnings of temper tantrums and mealtime battles.  As Lily's parents, we're unified in our decision to discipline her, leading her to a life of obedience not only to us but ultimately to Jesus Christ.  This has given me lots of reasons to think about my own relationship with God.
How often do I stomp my feet and refuse to see what He wants me to see?  How often do I want to fill my time with meaningless activities instead of with the things that God knows are best for me?  How often do I try to take control of a situation instead of waiting on the Lord with patience?  If I really answered truthfully, I would have to say...too often.  If my desire is for Lily to grow up with a heart that longs to please and obey the authorities in her life, then I must live the same.  As her mother, I want desperately for her to understand that when we discipline and instruct her, it is because of our vast love for her.  And that out of her obedience, can only come good things.
I remember a few months ago, while changing Lily's diaper, she was fighting and resisting the whole time.  I thought to myself, "Why don't you just give up the fight and let me take care of you?  It takes so much longer when you resist."  Immediately, it dawned on me that God must feel the same way with me many times.  Much like my very own daughter, I can become so focused on what I dislike about a particular circumstance.  As a result, I miss out on joy.  I miss out on opportunities to spend treasured moments with the One who gave me life.  How cool it is that God can use my role as a parent to help me better understand where He's coming from as my Father.  Though there are sure to be frustrating times ahead as we discipline our daughter, I am uplifted to know that God can use ALL things for good and clearly teaches me while revealing more of Himself in the process.

Hebrews 12:7-11 (NIV)

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.