DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BRAGGING RIGHTS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE COST OF PARENTHOOD

"Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved." (II Corinthians 12:14-15)

The love that Paul had for the Church at Corinth is apparent. He considered them his children. As a father in the faith, he wanted the best for them. He did not want their things – their money – but he wanted them. The greatest gift of children to their parents is the presence – not their presents. Our Heavenly Father wants us more than our gifts.

Most parents can identify with Paul's love for the Corinthian. He did not want to be a burden or take advantage of them. But as a father would speak to his children word of correction, he has spoken to them to help them grow up in the faith. Above all, he wanted them to become strong and mature in the Christian faith. He was showing his love through his corrections.

It is a parent's responsibility to provide for their children, and not just in material things. Parent are loving their children even through correction and discipline. It is a fact that children do not always appreciate correction, and do not always love their parents emotionally. In fact, the more we love our children by discipling them, the less they may love us at the time. Often it is not until they are adults that children look back and thank their parents for this aspect of love. Even then, they may not appreciate how much it cost the parents.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews recognized this fact. In writing about God's discipline, he encouraged the readers to not despise the chastening of the Lord because that is a sign of sonship that comes out of His love for His children. That is why God says, "For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." The fact is that "no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:5-8).

The parents' job is not just to provide materially for their children, but to give spiritual training. Lack of correction i's evidence of a lack of true love. Discipline is painful at the time, but looking back, we can see how it produced the fruit of righteousness. Thank God for love that disciplines.

Love, Dad