Parenting is one of the hardest callings any man or woman could pursue.
It demands so many sacrifices & so much time.
I haven’t met a single parent who feels adequate; in fact, most of the parents are desperate for God & his grace.
But, as we considered on Sunday, it is incredible to think of all godly parenting can transfer to our kids with God’s help. Confidence (Prov. 14:26). Wisdom (Prov. 1:8). Safe, secure steps (Prov. 22:6). Blessing (Prov. 10:7). Life (Eph. 6:1-3). Legacy (Prov. 17:6). And so much more.
That is why we should endeavor to take up this calling with all that we have.
The rod & matthew mcconaughey
Last Sunday, we learned how Proverbs urges us to use the rod—or physical punishment—in disciplining our children (Prov. 22:15; 29:15; 23:13-14; among others).
The rod, according to author Tedd Tripp, is “a parent, in faith toward God & faithfulness toward his or her children, undertaking the responsibility of careful, timely, measured, & controlled use of physical punishment to underscore the importance of obeying God, thus rescuing the child from continuing in his foolishness until death.”
The rod is therefore:
Not punishing your child, not making them pay for their disobedience.
Not retaliating against your child, not getting even for disobedience or embarrassing you.
Not your right to uncontrolled anger.
The rod is a careful act of faith toward God for the purpose of rescuing your child from foolishness & restoring them to obedience to God.
Now . . . the rod is not popular in our culture! Many would say it is old school parenting. Others would say it is abusive.
Many of the reasons the rod is unpopular is because it has been misused in the past. That is why it is so important to review the biblical purpose of the rod & make sure our practice of using the rod aligns with this biblical purpose.
Interesting, well-known actor Matthew McConaughey positively describes his parents use of physical punishment.
We were a physical discipline family. We got the belt. We didn’t get grounded.
We never got injured. You got hurt at the time, you cried, & it was over with.
We were a family where you got it over with [quickly]. . . . Take it & it’s over. We don’t hold grudges. No one is going to speak of it again. And if you got in trouble, those were the nights dad would take us across town to our favorite burger joints and stay up as late as we wanted!
You got in more trouble if you brought something back up to someone in the family. No, no, no. They already got in trouble for that.
I don’t necessarily recommend the belt, but in many ways it is so right.
Discipline your child quickly. Then, move on.
In fact, show them love & take them out for ice cream afterwards! And don’t bring it up again!
TRUSTWORTHY resources ON PARENTING
If parenting is a hard calling & something that demands so much of us, we should think carefully about it.
Below are a number of books on the task of parenting I recommend & why:
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp.
Very good overall book on the goal & purpose of parenting, including detailed instruction on parenting young children & principles for parenting all ages. If you have not read this book & you are a parent, I would strongly recommend it.
Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp.
After establishing patterns of discipline in the early years, this book helps you learn how to instruct your child & teach them the truths of God.
The Young Peacemaker by Corlette Sande.
Ever had trouble resolving sibling squabbles? Me too! This book lays out truly timeless principles for resolving conflict.
Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by Paul Tripp.
This look is simply the best at explaining how the teenage years can be, by the grace of God, not the worst years but the best years of parenting.