DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILD WHILE THERE IS HOPE
There is a short window of time for teaching children obedience. During this time there is hope that parental discipline might eventually become the child’s own self-discipline. It may seem a lot of work to discipline a child of ages 2 through 6, but it becomes nearly hopeless for the parent who waits until they are 12 through 16 before starting to correct their behavior. Discipline a child while they are young and when they are older, they will have learned to respect and obey. Fail to discipline them and this job passes to the teacher, the principle, the police and finally the judge and the jail. Discipline them while there is hope.
And be certain to aim past the outward behavior to the inner attitude of the heart. Teach the child about sin, repentance, and forgiveness through Jesus. For the child is more receptive to spiritual things than the adult. Do this important parental work while there is hope. And in doing this, always cover your child with prayer. For only God can change the human heart.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for the gift of children. Yet we are overwhelmed by the role of parenting. We need Your help. Empower us with Your strength. Give us Your wisdom. Show us the key to our children’s hearts that we might discipline them in the way they should go. And that we might always point them to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.