Bitter Medicine

"Oh, Dad!" said Owen. "I don't see why I have to be grounded! Can't I just do some extra chores or something?""I'm sorry, Owen," said Dad. "But I think being grounded this time is the best way to help you remember to obey." He patted Owen's shoulder. "I hope you know that I don't enjoy disciplining you. I do it because I love you." "Yeah, right," Owen mumbled as Dad left. The following week, Owen came down with a cold and a bad cough. He watched warily as his dad poured a spoonful of medicine for him to take, then gulped it down. "Ugh, it tastes awful! I don't want any more of that!" But during the night, Owen woke up, coughing again. His throat hurt, and he was actually glad when Dad came in with the medicine. The next morning, Owen felt better. "Last week I was grounded, and this week I was sick. I felt like I'd never get to have fun again. But that medicine really helped. It sure doesn't taste good though!" "I know," said Dad, "and I know you didn't like the punishment you received for disobeying, but discipline is a lot like bitter medicine--it's meant to make us better." "I guess so," Owen replied. "I know being disciplined isn't fun, but it's a sign of love," Dad said. "After all, the Bible says God disciplines us as His children, and He loves us more than anyone! He loves us so much that Jesus took the punishment for our sins Himself when He died on the cross. When we trust in Him as our Savior and become part of God's family, He uses discipline to teach us and help us grow." "So does that mean you get disciplined sometimes too?" asked Owen.Dad laughed. "Yes, it does. There have been times in my life when God has allowed me to suffer consequences for my sinful actions. When He has, it helped me realize that I had done that wrong thing because I was looking to the world or to myself for what I thought I needed instead of God. Though it wasn't fun, I was thankful He loved me enough to teach me that lesson." Owen sighed as Dad poured him more medicine. "Then I guess I should be thankful for discipline too!" -Sherry L. Kuyt