Screaming, Kicking, Spitting

  (This is not my son’s pic, by the way.)  It was bound to happen, Josiah got his first BIG spanking.  It all started at Wal-Mart.  Isn’t it strange that the tantrum never occurs in the quiet confines of home?  We had just finished shopping and I was pushing the cart of groceries out to the car.  Marilyn was holding Josiah’s hand and decided to go get a pop out of the machine.  I got the car loaded and was just getting ready to go pick them up at the door when I saw them coming…Josiah was throwing a HUGE FIT.  Screaming, kicking, and spitting…even slapping at his mom!

 

I jumped out of the car put him in the carseat, where he continuted to throw his fit.  I warned him that he was going to get punished as soon as we got home.  There’s something about knowing that punishment is coming to help drive home a point.  As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I told Josiah it was time.  He began to cry as he realized judgement day had come. 

 

The thing was, I hated to have to punish him.  But I knew that if I did not teach him to treat his mom with love and respect, that he could grow up to be a real problem and even put himself in some real danger one day.  It made me realize that God’s heart hurt the same way when he punished his Son in place of us.  He knew that it was going to hurt.  But the end result was worth the moment of punishment. 

 

God cared that much about us.  He didn’t leave us screaming, kicking, and spitting so that we never really mature.  He sent His Holy Spirit to lovingly, but sternly correct us so that we will grow up into people that reflect the character of His son.  Are you letting him shape you today?