AUGUST 12

Hebrews 12:6

“Siew Hoon, please stop interrupting me,’’ Miss Lim said loudly and firmly. Siew Hoon scowled. Several times that day Miss Lim had scolded her for the same offence.

That evening, Siew Hoon complained to her parents about her teacher. “Miss Lim just likes to pick on me,” she grumbled. As she talked, she noticed her puppy messing up the flower pots. Quickly she grabbed a newspaper, and… Whap! “Ow-wow-wow!” yelped the puppy.

“Oh, Tiger, that didn’t really hurt you,” said Siew Hoon, reaching a hand out to the little dog. “I’ve told you a million times not to be naughty, and I’ve punished you for it often enough, too.” She headed back to her parents. “Sometimes I think he’ll never learn!” she told Dad.

“He’ll learn,” Dad assured her. “It’s just going to take time.” With a thoughtful smile, he asked, “Do you suppose Tiger ever wonders why that newspaper is always punishing him?”

“I’m afraid he knows it’s not the newspaper punishing him; it’s me,” said Siew Hoon. “But I hope he still likes me.”

“I’m sure he does,” said Dad, “but you’re right. You are doing the punishing and just using the paper to do it, right?” Siew Hoon nodded. “Now suppose God needed to ‘punish’ you,” said Dad. “Don’t you think He would probably use something,or someone to do that?” Siew Hoon frowned. “What are you getting at, Dad?” she asked.

“Well,” said Dad, “God sometimes uses people to discipline us, and sometimes the things He wants to teach us are tough lessons to learn. Did you ever wonder if He might be using Miss Lim to tell you something?” “I…I…” Siew Hoon didn’t know what to say.

“Think about it,” said Dad. “Perhaps God wants to change you in some way and has been talking to you all this time through Miss Lim, but you haven’t been hearing Him. Maybe you should stop and figure out what it is He’s trying to say to you.”

Thought: Can you think of times God has used someone to discipline you? Were you angry with that person?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to understand that discipline is good for me if I am wrong. Teach me to grow in wisdom and to be grateful when You send someone, whether it is my parents or siblings or teachers, to teach me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.