The Portion of my Inheritance

I fall short.

Every time.

And I struggle within my own heart. Uncertainty is a constant companion and I yearn for direction, just laid out in plain sight. No guessing, no divided highways, and no U-turns along the way.

Training them up is hard.

But the glory moments come in Jabez form, a head above the rest. Just standing tall, separated like sheep and goat. It’s in the searching and the remembering that we see it clear. It’s His telling and retelling it; remember . . . remember . . . remember . . .

And my memory serves me well this time and I see Him all those years ago.

He was right there.

He was wrapped up tight in the midst of it.

He was standing with a clear sign.

He was speaking it loud.

He was right there!

And in the turmoil of a mama’s heart, the disappointment and the frustration tried to take over, just blur Him out, but He was not having it. He would not relent.

So I asked Him, “Lord, how do I handle my child? How do I correct and discipline my beloved?”

He did not waste one single moment and He answered me gently with a question.

“My child, how do I discipline you?”

I understand. And His peace comes and wipes away the anger, and I knew the answer was grace. Amazing grace. And I remembered all the rebukes and the corrections, how they always came in the form of love. How they always came with such tenderness that they have become the sweetest moments of my life with Him.

So I hold my child close and whisper forgiveness in their precious ear and I can see the remorse and grief this tender heart feels. Tears of mercy wet my cheeks and I am consumed with His agape love. Total, unconditional, pure, amazing love. The selfless, sacrificial love that can only come from the Father.

Discipline is ‘a training’, and a preparation in the way they should go. The process of conditioning, growing and stretching in the Lord, and He will not leave you to yourself, to your own devices, He will never leave you nor forsake you. It is a partnership and He is the most amazing training partner you could ever find-if you will let Him in. For His love for your child is greater than your own. Deeper than can ever be comprehended.

Train up your child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6