Ephesians 4:14 "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting"
I remember the first and only time I ran away from home. I don't recall what I was unhappy about, but there was some injustice that had occurred that led my eight year-old mind to decide to run away. I was kind enough to go into the kitchen and announce to my mother my intention to leave home. Her reaction took me by surprise and helped me grow up some. I think I expected an apology, or perhaps her coercing me to stay. Instead my mother looked at me and said she would miss me, and was sorry I felt I couldn't stay under such harsh parenting. She then gave me a brown bag with some cookies and a kiss goodbye.
I felt determined never to return; spent the afternoon in a local field, ate my cookies, got cold, and went back home to find it was dinner time and there was a place at the table set for me. My mom welcomed me with a hug and never said anything about my rebellion in my attempt to run off. My mother didn't need to say anything, in her wisdom she knew there had been a lesson taught and her lecture would not have added to what was learned.
As an eight year-old I grew up some that day and learned I'm not always right, and I can't always get my way. I learned that I ought not manipulate or threaten to get my way. The wisdom of my loving mom broke a bit of pride, and that is always a good thing.
God does not want spoiled children. He wants us to grow up and mature and to toughen up, so we might stand for Him in a tough world. God loves us so much that He disciplines us, and He cares for us so much that He won't let us call the shots and get our own way all the time. If you are under God's loving discipline, rejoice and submit, He's growing you up for His good purposes and glory!
