Don’t Just Say No!

Since he started crawling, my son has been too busy to eat or sleep. Every moment is an adventure. Like an explorer discovering a new land for the first time, my son is intrigued with every crevice and corner of our house. He’s only 10 months old and already I find myself saying, “No!” way too often. I was also surprised to find that he already understands what it means.

In the past couple weeks he’s managed to pull the garbage can on top of himself, chew on computer cables, nibble on something disgusting he’s found on the floor, eat pages out of his books, nearly grab the toilet cleaning brush, and escape from a diaper change with fresh poo still covering his bum!

Simply saying a firm “No!” to my son, usually gets my point across. He can tell by the sound of my voice and look on my face that he’s headed for trouble. But as I prepare for the years of discipline ahead of me, the Lord has been teaching me what’s more effective than simply shouting “NO.”

Instead of saying “NO!” as he crawls away from a diaper change, I can show him how to be still and play with a toy.

When he’s crawling towards the computer cables, I can gently redirect him, giving him something much tastier to chew on.

I want my son to understand more than the word “No.” I want him to understand love.  So, instead of simply using voice to get my son’s attention, I sense God telling me to get down at his level, look him in the eyes, and physically show him a better way. 

However, I am just like my son. When I anticipate God is taking something away from me, I want to throw up my hands and scream. My childish actions demonstrate that I don’t trust Him.

“The Lord disciplines those he loves…God disciplines us for our good. 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.” {Hebrews 12: 6,10,&11}

But God is reminding to see His love not His no.

God is more than just words! He doesn’t just shake His finger at us from heaven. Instead God comes down, looks us straight in the eyes, and teaches us how to live a better way!

When God tells you or I to loosen our grip on the disgusting crumbs we’re trying to scrape off the floor, it’s because He wants to fill our hands with a gift…His best!

However, all too often,we focus on what He wants to take away, not on what He wants to give us instead.

How can you see God’s discipline in a more positive light? Can you see what He is giving you through His “no”?

 Tweetables

Pearl Girl Charissa Ann Steyn compares the disciplining of her son to the Father disciplining his children. Click to Tweet.

“I want my son to understand more than the word No. I want him to understand love.” Pearl Girl Charissa Steyn writes in Don’t Just Say No. Click to Tweet.