Tears Tell The Story

May 27, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 13:17-19 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     As a young boy, I received my fair share of spankings. I know, some of you can’t imagine me getting a spanking, right? Well, then again, if you know me you probably can. When I was disobedient I would get a good old fashion spanking. My dad wasn’t abusive, but he sure got his point across.

     The strange thing is, that with the exception of just a couple of them, I really don’t remember the spankings. I remember getting them, but I just can’t remember the actual spanking. However, I do know this, the lessons my dad taught me through discipline, helped me grow up to be the man I am today.

     Did I like the spankings? Not at the time. I would jump, howl, and scream as if someone was killing me. When I was spanked, the whole neighborhood knew it. Did my dad enjoy spanking? No, I’m sure he didn’t. Still, he felt that it was his responsibility as a parent to correct me, because he loved me.

     As a young teen, I began to follow my friends, and started smoking. My dad had smoked for years, and always told me; “don’t get messed up with these things,” but I did. I don’t remember many spankings, but I remember the day my dad found out I was smoking. I remember how he sat in his recliner and cried. My dad hardly ever cried in front of anyone. He didn’t yell, or through a fit. He cried. With precious tears running down his face he looked at me and said, “I wish a thousand times I had never started smoking these things.” Before He died from cancer, he had quit. Even then he said, “I think I quit too late.”

     Why does that stick in my memory? Because I could visibly see how much my disobedience really hurt him. When I think of God, my heavenly Father, I somewhat see Him this way also. When He has to correct me out of love, I wonder, does He cry?

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

   Oh, God I pray, help me, that I would not cause you to shed even one more tear for my sinfulness.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  May 27, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezra 1 – 5     /     Proverbs 13:17-19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Kings 4-5   /   John 10:1-21