No Soup Fo You

Whiners and disobeyers just don't get it.  And what is the "it"....well it may not be soup, but generally it is a toy.  And in Trinity's case this morning, Hot Chocolate.  You see, Trinity, even after I said no, and put my coffee up, and advised her that I was making her hot chocolate (which she was super excited about getting as we just started the whole hot chocolate thing) still decided to disobey....I was not watching close enough, turning the Kuerig back on for some hot water I glanced over to my left and saw her with my coffee cup walking over to the table.  Then on my way to her she managed to spill the coffee (not hot, since it had cooled) everywhere as she was turning to sit herself in a chair.  book in hand. 

I have to be honest.  There are times when I really dislike disciplining.  Especially when I know that my precious daughter is just imitating her mama....coffee and book.  And it is in these instances that I really have to push through it as a parent and do what is right for my child.  You see, hard as it was to not go "oh, how cute, you want to do what mama does!"  my little mini me!  ha.....The point was that she deliberately disobeyed.....

1.  She knows very well what the word "no" means
2.  She knows full well the consequences of her actions if she chooses to disobey
3.  We have the "don't take unless you ask, and mama or daddy say it's ok", and the "no means no" talk daily
4.  In general....she understands
5. I love her

So all in all as cute as it may have been, discipline was still needed.  And she received no hot chocolate, while the boys enjoyed.

And it really made me think...How many times have I done that to God?  How many times have I received discipline for doing what I was told not to do....however innocent or good intentioned or in His likeness it may have been. Even knowing, as Trinity did, that something better was in store....and in her case, hot chocolate.

Aren't you glad He loves us enough to not let us stay the way we are.  I am very thankful for the discipline God has given me....however hard it may be while I'm receiving it, He makes me a better person and daughter because of it.  Crazy to think of where I'd be without His love. 

Obedience.....the 1st step in being a healthy, Godly Parent is being a  healthy, Godly daughter or son to our Heavenly Father.

Proverbs 13:24  A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them

Proverbs 20:11 Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.