So today was the first day I began the "cry-it-out" phase of Taryn's life. I have to admit...today was a hard day! With Brody, the CIO phase didn't really have a beginning...it was just a seemless transition from "screaming most of the night" to "screaming for 1-2 hours before falling asleep at night". Taryn, however, was the dream-baby who would coo...flash you one of her beautiful smiles...then take her passy...nuzzle her blankie...and fall right to sleep. Being the glass-is-half-empty person that I am, I knew the day was coming when sleep (like everything else in life) was going to become another venue for her to test out her will. I'm of the opinion, actually, that sleep is the venue where all little babies assert their first taste of autonomy.
"Now listen, mom. I know you think I need sleep - yawn - but really I know better -eye rub - and I've decided to scream my fool head off instead of sleep just to show you!"
Thus, it was no surprise to me when Hebrews 12:9-10 came to mind during my vain attempts at rocking, patting and pacifier-plugging a writhing-sweating-screaming little sinner!!
"Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not, much rather, be subject to the Father of Spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness."
Why was I putting Taryn (and myself for that matter) through such torture? Was it really that big of a deal to break her will on such a seemingly trivial issue? Why would God expect me to do something so painful when everyone involved would be much happier if I just let her have her way? These are the questions that go through my mind DAILY for both of my kids! But if the author of Hebrews points to earthly parenting as the example and evidence for the significance of God's discipline, then I'd better get to disciplining! If I don't start teaching my kids what it means to break their will in obedience to authority, then they are going to be in for a rude awakening when God starts wacking at their knees, cause "every knee will bow"(Rom. 14:11) whether we want it to or not!
Since I would prefer for my kids to want to bow their knee to Christ, I'm gonna keep on enduring the sweaty-screaming temper-tantrums without giving in. I'll deal with the pain it causes me to break their will on the stupid things, like sleep, so that they can recognize and respond appropriately when God is breaking their will on the big things that affect their eternity. That - and my good friend Captain Morgan - are what's going to get me through this first of many pleasant baby-phases!
"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:11
So grab the Captain and here's to eventual peace!
2 comments:
this is the greatest post of all times...I am totally dealing with this with my crazy 2 year old as I battle my desire to sit with my feet up for the last couple weeks of my pregnancy, and he (sensing my weakness) is pushing new limits! Including the limp noodle, no walking, routine in the grocery store...I could pick him up and carry him around to pacify the situation...but thank you for reminding me...THIS IS ETERNAL!!!
Ha, so funny that the other person inspired to write you a comment happens to me sister-in-law - who I sat with only yesterday, commiserating about the challenges of marriage and child-rearing! (Love you, Sommer!) This is a great post, Lindsay! Thank you for sharing your pain; and encouraging us to seek God as we attempt to practice the 'art' of discipline.
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