APRIL 30, Proverbs 22:6 

“Mom, you’re always scolding and disciplining me,” complained Alicia as she sat in the “time-out” corner. “You never get mad at Alan.”

“Oh, yeah? Think again!”The challenge came from Alan, who had come into the room and overheard the remark. “I used to get disciplined a lot-and I still do sometimes. So quit pouting and learn your lesson, sis.”

That afternoon, the family attended a school funfair at the zoo. The special event was elephant rides. After watching for a while, Alan chose to have a ride on the larger elephant, and Alicia wanted to ride the smaller one.

“Want to see how you looked?” asked Dad when the rides were over.

He held out his digital camera, and they all gathered around to see the pictures he’d taken. “Did you notice that the trainer just spoke to the bigger elephant while you were riding?” asked Mom. “He sometimes used his stick with the smaller one.”

Alicia nodded. “At first, I thought it was mean of him to do that,” she said, “but he said it was a young elephant and was just learning to obey. He only tapped it-he didn’t hurt it.” “I’m sure the older elephant also gets disciplined from time to time,” said Dad, “but it probably learned from its earlier training and doesn’t need to be corrected so often.”

Mom nodded. “I guess Dad and I are ‘trainers,’ too,” she said. “We give you instructions, and sometimes we need to correct or discipline you so you’ll learn.” “Yeah,” said Alan, “and I’ve already learned a lot from having had more years of training than you’ve had, Alicia.” Dad smiled. “The Bible instructs parents to correct their children,” he said. “That’s the purpose of occasional scoldings and things like the ‘time-out’ chair.” Alan pointed to a booth next to the elephant rides. “Hey, Dad, maybe you should buy one of the elephant saddles they’re selling over there,” he said. “We could use it for the time-out corner.”

“Yeah,” agreed Alicia. “That would make the ‘time-outs’ more fun!”

Dad laughed. “A time-out isn’t supposed to be fun, so no elephant time-out corner!” he said. They all laughed with him.

Thought: Are you unhappy when you are disciplined? Remember – your parents love you and discipline you to help you grow in the right way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me remember parents who love their children must discipline them so the children will learn the right way and grow to be godly. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.