If you have children or have ever been around you children, you know that they require constant supervision. Turning your back for one moment can spell disaster for any caregiver or parent. Bed times can quickly become impromptu games of hide-n-seek. Feedings, often times, are a combination of bath time, clean up time and supper time. In most cases, the child is covered in much more food than they’ve actually consumed. We know these moments. These are the moments we treasure; the ones that’ll carry us through decades of development and maturity. While most caregivers or parents relish these moments, there are simply sometimes when the opposite is true. As parents, we know there are times in our parenting journey where discipline and correction have to take center stage.
Most parents understand the necessity for discipline and correction. Many parents, however, are not too fond of doling it out. After all, we don’t want to intentionally upset our little angels do you? What purpose would that serve? Contrary to popular precepts, children require instruction, direction and discipline. Without these vital tools, children can find themselves in scary or dangerous situations. When my nephew was about 3 years old, he was playing “I’m gonna get you” with my son. He ran into the kitchen where the burner was on. He was fascinated by the flame and instinctively reached out to touch. His mother saw him and in her loudest, scariest voice she yelled “don’t touch that!” Just in the nick of time, my nephew snatched his hand from the flame and began to cry. My sister cojoled him, explaining why it was dangerous.
If my sister had decided to let her son discover, on his own, what fire does to the skin, would you think she made the right decision? Of course not. My nephew could’ve have suffered extensive burns and loss of one or more of his fingers. She corrected him because it was necessary to keep him safe. That’s how it is with the Father. The bible tells us that God disciplines and corrects those whom He loves. – Hebrews 12:6 If you’re like me then being corrected does not top your all-time list of things you enjoy. In fact, you may despise it. But the same way my sister’s correction kept her son safe, is the same way the Father’s correction keeps us safe. God desires to speak to us and provide insight into the muddled areas of our lives. He’s constantly looking to shine a light on those dark places so that pride and rebellion would not grow inside us. Why? Because pride always comes before a fall and rebellion is considered the same as witchcraft, in God’s eyes.
The same way Unitarianists believe that God is all-knowing and loves us is the same principle Christians adhere to today. We know that God’s correction may seem harsh at the time given, but is absolutely needed to ensure we are safe from harm. He corrects us because He loves us.
©2010-2022 Minister Claretta Taylor Webb, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved