Does God Want To Put Me In Timeout?

I just hope my kids are learning as much from our relationship as I am. I can’t help but constantly think about God’s relationship with me as a Father when I’m trying to teach my kids or discipline them out of love. First, let me say… I finally understand “discipline out of love”. I’ve said it before but it didn’t mean anything to me until I felt the strong love I have for my kids.

My son, almost 4 now, told his first fib yesterday. It was a flat our lie. In a nearby room he gave his twin a sister a “smack down” move perhaps worthy of the WWF. I heard it and then watched in slow motion as his little sister rounded the corner crying with her arms flailing in re-enactment.

“Chase! What happened?”, I shouted.

“Huh? Nothing…” he said as he entered the room, his cheeks fading from pink to white.

I was angry that he hurt his sister and part of me wanted to give him justice right there with no questions asked. However, I also wanted him know that he could trust me enough to tell me the truth. Speaking to him more softly, I asked him to come close to me.

“You need to always tell me the truth, Chase. No matter what. Chase, I know what happened. Please tell me the truth. Did you hurt your sister?”

His lips started quivering and his eyes filled with fear. “Yes. I did it. I hit her.”

Surprising myself, I pulled him into my arms and hugged him. I told him I loved him and his little body shook as he sobbed saying, “I’m sorry”. I was just as surprised by my emotions as he was by my hug. We cried together as we hugged. I knew he wanted to do the right thing but sometimes he just makes mistakes.

Yes, he was sent to time-out after that because I had to be consistent. He knew the consequences were still coming and he accepted them without question, turning on his own without any instructions to go to the “time-out” spot. He seemed almost relieved to go there.

I can not comprehend how much I love my little boy; it is truly beyond my ability to measure. And I can not even begin to comprehend how much God must love us. I may get the consequential “time-outs” here on Earth when I make some mistakes, but the thought that God wants to hug me like that and let me know how much He loves me even after I make a mistake is a new perspective for me on the love God has for us as His children.