Today I was browsing around on my computer to find a file for a reader of our main website.  Last night we changed to a new hosting company because ours was crawling along very slowly.  I was thrilled to click around on there today and find it was much faster.  However, in the process, our free downloads were left behind.  We did not meant to leave those little guys out in the dark cyberspace all alone.  My husband (webmaster, spouse, great dad,  best friend, and a few other things  :)) assures me they will be back in about 24 hours.  So, no worried.

However, in searching around to send a file via email (the new old fashioned way) I found some scripture memory cards from a few years ago.

"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. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." (Hebrews 12:11-12 NIV)

What a reminder!  One of the areas I know I need constant help is that area of self-discipline, so yes, my heavenly father gives me plenty of reminders about it.  I pay the consequences.  I struggle, and sometimes it is painful.  But it is all for a good cause. 

It also gives me a reason to pause and think about my own discipline.  I know that it is important that children be well disciplined, but sometimes I catch myself disciplining for things that are really just preference issues, not moral ones.  That seems okay at the surface, but the Bible tells me to put another's interests ahead of my own.  If I discipline for things that are simply minor irritations, how can I teach them to go and be patient and long suffering with their siblings? 

Oh, heavenly Father, help me to see it clearly and accurately when I am simply parenting out of my own selfish desires rather than your righteous ones.  Thank you for this reminder today!

Malia Russell
www.homemaking911.com