I wonder who would have stayed with the topic and bothered to read had my title been Death?
I attended a wake over the weekend. It had the customary trimmings of glistening wreaths from well-wishers and the artistic layout with the portraits of the dead—a glimpse of his story. Also, being looped were snippets of his latest moments; rightfully, it showed just enough to paint a story for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. It was a beautiful moment capturing 3 generations—the helpless man, the grandson feeding him, and a son recording the moment while painstakingly instructing his own son the proper way of feeding his Lolo.
Our instruction manual has a lot to say about discipline. Normally, we detest discipline as we perceive it as negative or restrictive. The upside, discipline means to train to obedience and order.1 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.2
Of course, what is recorded is simply the tip of the iceberg; the rest are edited out. I mentioned “snippets” for life is messy; the mess we would rather edit out. We conform to a mores. Presently, social media seems to get our attention, like an opium that baste our need to sedate the pain.
Admirable was the strength that the son showed in the midst of the family’s difficulty. More so his wife, who was supportive.
Our Father works in many mysterious ways. He shouts to call us out through pain. Like a red light in our car dashboard that says, stop! Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.3 The New American Standard Bible4 translates it, “Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.” While NIV,5 “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.” The Message6 has the most casual translation, “Discipline your children while you still have the chance; indulging them destroys them.”
The task of parenting is not easy! But If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.7
Notes:
1. The Little Oxford Dictionary
2. Hebrews 12:11
3. Proverbs 19:18
4. Zondervan, NASB/The Message Parallel Bible, 2004
5. Zondervan, The Leadership Bible, New International Version, 1998
6. Zondervan, NASB/The Message Parallel Bible, 2004
7. Proverbs 24:10-11
