For There is Hope

     Discipline your son, for there is hope;
     do not set your heart on putting him to death.
                                            Proverbs 19:18

These words literally jumped into my eyes and heart this morning as I was reading through Proverbs. I had the distinct feeling that I had never seen them before (despite having read through Proverbs.) They struck me forcefully and bade me sit and ponder. Sort of that "throw a stone into a pack of wolves" thing - I yelped as God's Word examined my heart and found both sin and hope.

The first sentence brings encouragement and a promise: "Discipline your son, for there is hope..." For me this was an encouragement to keep on training and raising my children "in the fear and admonition of the LORD" and a reminder that it is not in vain that I strive, but by and through God's grace. There is hope!

I needed this reminder, because sometimes I have stepped out of my bounds as a mother to convict and condemn my children, looking ahead without the hope of future grace. In moments of anger, despair, or frustration over the training and discipline of my children, I "set my heart on putting him to death": This child is so bad! He will never change. He will always be bad. There is no hope for him.

And this is what God has seared on my heart this day: there is hope. Do not make yourself God and place yourself as judge over your children's eternal soul. There is hope. God will give grace; God will rescue. There is a promise for me, a mother: discipline your son, for there is hope. Keep on keeping on, and there is hope. God is good.