Unfortunately, I think, I'm not a parent. But I do get the opportunity often enough to
interface with babies - of family members and of friends. And it is often a source of bragging rights
when you are the one to cause a baby to stop crying. If the opposite happens I'm always anxious to
pass the baby along to "end my humiliation" of sorts. I must confess also that there are few things
that are more heart-warming than to elicit a smile from a baby. It just feels good to be a source of comfort
and joy for a baby... for anybody for that matter.
My wife is certain that if I were to become a father,
especially of a little girl, I'd spoil her rotten. Well I don't know about that. What I do know is that it'll be my
responsibility to ensure the well-being of my child(ren). Making children cry isn't a measure of one's
effectiveness. I get the sense from this
chapter that this is how our Heavenly Father feels too, "And His soul
could no longer endure the misery of Israel. " Verse 16.
And yet, it is "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Heb. 12:6. This however only happens when it is
absolutely necessary.
LORD, I thank you today for all the sources of discomfort
that cause me to look to you from whom my help comes. May I never stray so far as to become
desensitized to your chastening.
Instead, let it be that as your children we all can sing meaningfully,
"He puts a light in your eyes, a smile on your lips, and a bubble of joy
in your heart...," because that is what you do for us. In Jesus' name… amen.
To read the full passage and other blogs visit http://revivedbyhisword.org/en/bible/jdg/10/.
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