When one of my girls was in high school, she knew I kept a jar of change in my office.  At that time I kept all my loose change until the end of the year. I then counted it and gave it away to missions. One day she decided to go into my office and take some money out for herself. I’m not sure if Jo saw her do it; caught her doing it and asked he what she was doing; or if she felt guilty and told her mom. Then she had to tell me. I had to discipline her (not physically) but to this day I can’t remember what it was. I disciplined her because I loved her. I didn’t discipline her so she could see what she needed to do to earn the right to be my child, but because she was my child. I wasn’t rejecting her, but I did want her to know I loved her. I would have been derelict of my responsibility as a father if I had said, “That’s okay” and let her go with no consequences for stealing.

God’s discipline is for that reason. He disciplines me, not to show me what I need to do to earn the right to be His child, but because I am His child. I am the object of His love not His wrath.

It truly did hurt me more than it hurt her. It hurt my heart. I can only imagine how God’s heart hurts when I, as His child, needs disciplined.

“Father, thank you for your loving discipline. Help me to always remember it is not to earn Your love, but because You love that I am disciplined. Thank you for being a loving Father.”