NOVEMBER 6

Hebrews 12:7

Naomi, a missionary kid, lived along the Amazon River in South America. She had a unique variety of pets. She especially loved Mickey, her kitten-sized monkey, but he was such a rascal! One day, he scampered to the bookcase and cautiously ran his hand across the books. Then, he began ripping the paper jackets up and shredding them to bits.

“Mickey! What are you doing?” scolded Naomi as she entered the room. She scooped him up and ruffled his fur. He swished his long bushy tail in aggravation. “Stop ripping the books or you’ll have to go outside,” Naomi told the little animal, who understood a large number of words. Mickey calmed down – he did not like to go outside – so Naomi set him down. As she cleaned up the mess, Mickey turned and picked up his tail, combing his fingers through the long, silky, black fur.

As soon as Naomi disappeared into her room, Mickey hopped back to the bookcase and resumed the shredding. The sound of tearing paper filtered down the hall to Naomi. “Naughty monkey!” she said when she saw what he was doing. She scolded him sternly, then set him down with his toys and played with him a little while before returning to her room. Mickey almost immediately scooted back to the bookcase. He was having a great time when Naomi suddenly lifted him into the air. He flicked his tail furiously and chattered his disapproval, but he could not pull himself from Naomi’s grip.

“I don’t really want to put you outside, Mickey, but you have to learn to behave!” said Naomi sadly as she opened the door and put Mickey lightly down onto the hot cement patio.

Suddenly, Naomi thought of something. She remembered her parents had disciplined her for being disobedient the week before. “Now I knowhow Mom and Dad feel when they have to punish me,” she thought.

As Naomi went back to her room, she thought of something else. When we sin, it must really hurt God to have to discipline us, too, but He has to do it anyway. I guess I understand that a little better now.

Thought: Have you been disciplined by your parents lately? They love you, but they must sometimes punish you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind me not to be angry if my parents discipline me, for they care enough to punish. I know You discipline those You love too, because You want to keep us from harm. When discipline comes, may I accept it and turn away from the wrong things that I have done. I know this is not easy but Lord, please help me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.