A friend tells this story about the shop they had in a rural area. If they caught kids stealing, they would call in the parents. The parents had to give their children a hiding right there and then as punishment for stealing.

Eventually they had to stop this practice, because the parents became too rough. They had to stop the parents from hitting the children, otherwise the kids could get injured.

I understand why it is illegal to hit children. Some parents do not know when to stop. But it’s a pity, because as a child, a decent hiding went a long way in teaching me to know what was wrong and what was right.

My dad could give you a good hiding. When you’ve done wrong, you could go and choose one of the sticks in his arsenal. But the whole hiding process was done in love. My dad always explained why he did it and then concluded with: “I do it because I love you.”

At that stage we didn’t understand it all, and was actually so upset with my dad that we wanted to move in with the neighbours. But today I understand what it was all about. When a father loves his child, that child needs to be disciplined. Nowadays you just need to be much more creative to get the same impact as a good hiding.

In addition to the punishment helping us know what is right and what is wrong, it also makes us respect our parents. They love us so much that they are prepared to correct us. It’s hard to have to punish a child.

In a way, we want to take the punishment for them, but, unfortunately, they have to experience it themselves, otherwise it will never have the right effect. It’s hard to punish your children, but you know that it is for their benefit that it has to be done.

That’s the same message that the writer of Hebrews is giving us recently: ⁹We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live?

Punishment teaches you to make the right choices in life. Punishment brings respect for our parents and for God. It opens our ears to discern what is right in the world. And the net effect is that we can live a full life here on earth.

You see, sin and wrong actions slow us down. It not only steals our freedom, but our joy and peace as well. Punishment helps us get rid of the sin and the wrong actions, and then we can live fully.

When we look at the suffering we may be experiencing right now through this lens, it makes sense. Then we can make peace with it. Then we can correct what needs to be corrected. Then we gain respect for God. We can hear Him better and we can start doing the right things. That way we can live really free and enjoy life to the full.

Scripture
Hebrews 12:4-11

Reflection
How do you see your suffering?
How do you see God the Father?
What do you learn you have to do differently?

Prayer
Our Father, my Father. It’s not easy for me to see You as a Father who punishes. But I will try. Please help me see what I’m doing wrong and to choose the right way. In Jesus’ Name, amen.