Disciplined Children Delight Our Hearts

  Proverbs 29:17, NRSV

'Discipline your children, and they will give you rest; they will give delight to your heart.'

There are many debates among psychologists about the appropriateness of corporal punishment. Some stress the perceived damage that spanking can have upon a child. Some of us may have grappled with this text and the much more known, spare the rod, and spoil the child found in Proverbs 13:24 (KJV). Without undertaking a full-blown exposition of the Hebrew or Latin translation, to narrow the meaning of discipline, we should weigh the benefits of thoroughly considering the impact of discipline in the form of routines. Children thrive with routines. Whether we have dinner at the same time daily or we use Saturday/Sabbath as a time of catching up, they benefit from the training afforded by schedules and routines. 

Succeed with Counsel

   Proverbs 15:22, NRSV

'Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.'

Americans are known, globally, for an ethos of rugged individualism. The iconic images of John Wayne and Ronald Reagan come to mind.  These actors portrayed characters synonymous with living on their own terms. They were cavalier. In stark contrast, however, these idealistic creations fuel failure. Counsel, or advice given on social or personal matters, can help ensure success. While there's benefit to finding a distant, archetypal, role model for inspiration, we can't completely rely on them. In real-time, we need conversations. Talking with and listening to wise and knowledgeable advisers is dynamic and beneficial. In the family of God, we are reminded that we're not merely individuals, but a collective. We're the body of Christ. Together we're unified. Counsel provides us with more to consider. Counsel can help us avert trouble. To have a life marked by achievements, small and great, we’re invited to be open to counsel. Our Father is the greatest Counselor. He also provides each of us with advisers for our journey.