Sincerely, Dominique

So accept sufferings like a father’s discipline. God does these things to you like a father correcting his children.

Hebrews 12:7 (ERV)

Dear God,

I’m sure this world may think Hebrews 12:7 is illogical. In theory, the essence of the idea of discipline isn’t uncommon in this world. I’m sure most human beings can identify with ‘getting in trouble’ as a child. But, rarely did you see the benefits of discipline when you wanted to play outside with your friends, rather than sit bored in the house because your privileges were taken away from you.

Or worse, but we won’t go there today.

I remember when I was in middle school. We were several years in to calling Wiesbaden, Germany home. Because my dad was in the military, we went to school with other kids with parents of the same profession. Making friends wasn’t always easy to do when we first started moving around, but I finally found my friend group in Germany. I enjoyed their company so much, that I forgot to be home at the exact time my mom expected me to be.

She was worried.

But I was having fun.

So, I received the worst punishment a 12 year old thought at the time.

I had to take Taekwondo. But you know this because you are omniscient (Psalm 139:1-4 NIV).

Now, I’m sure you’re laughing at me because I thought that was the ‘worst’ punishment. But it was, in my limited wisdom at that time.

I had to give up time to do what I wanted to do, I didn’t want to participate in that sport (no offense), and being made to do something just sucked. But, decades later, as I look back at the form of discipline my parents chose to teach me a lesson about obedience, I see why they chose to put me in Taekwondo. It’s a martial art that emphasizes discipline.

No matter how much I resisted participating in the class as the teacher picked on me, I finished my ‘punishment’ having walked away with one thing; willpower (not a new belt color, unfortunately). I wasn’t late again when my parents asked me to be home at a certain time.

God, I know the past 16 years of my life have been filled with plenty opportunities for you to justifiably place me in Taekwondo, but you haven’t.

Your discipline is different. And if I’m not careful enough about how I view it, I’ll think that you are trying to take from 12 year old me, instead of training and conditioning me for a future I may not see clearly yet.

I didn’t get a colorful belt in Taekwondo, but with you, in the hardest moments of my life, I’ve received wisdom of your deep love for me and this world that is priceless. Your discipline is next level, because what comes from it is not just a lesson, but you promised that you’ll work it all together for our good (Romans 8:28 NIV), no matter how bad we’ve messed up or how bad it looks.

So I thank you for disciplining me. I thank you for loving me enough to want me to grow, to have new perspectives, and to live an abundant life. You promised you’d never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5 NIV), so correct away.

And if I can just remain focused on you when it gets hard and seems so unbearable, you’ll remind me of the greater plan (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

Amen.

Sincerely,

Dominique

Dear Reader, in what ways are you embracing hardships with faith? What barriers do you face when attempting to ‘accept sufferings like a father’s discipline’?