Day: August 25, 2019

Discipline

~ osasuoviawe

Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? — “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him.
For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Homily:

We commune with a loving God, but expect indifference to our sins.

As His children, we should actually be very concerned when we are in sin and He ignores.

“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” – Job 5:17

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” – Proverbs 3:11-12

I also treasure Jeremiah’s prayer, because I have seen angry fathers regret discipline, when the child is unable to recover.

“Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure – not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing.” – Jeremiah 10:24

A tiny change

~ osasuoviawe

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” – Swedish Proverb

As part of my check-in routine, the airline asks for my ID Card (which, to me, is a really silly time waster, considering people now check in online). Typically, I use my work ID as identification, but today I chose to bring out my Driver’s Licence – a tiny change.

After getting my boarding pass, checking-in my bags and going through scanners that almost require that you get undressed, I sat in the lounge waiting for boarding.

Then I checked my pocket for my Driver’s Licence, it was not there. I did a cursory check of my wallet, and I did not find it. I retraced my steps back to the check-in desk, looking at the floor while walking and asking everyone on my path, “Did you see an ID card on the floor?”. I did not find it, so I returned to my seat.

My wife called to confirm if I had checked-in and I let her in on my worries, looking for my ID card. She was surprised. I asked her to kindly pick any unknown numbers, as her phone number was also on the ID card. Maybe someone will find it and call to return it. In her usual manner, she reassured me that all was well.

Then I sat back down and started thinking of how I will need to get a new ID card, while beating myself up for not just using my work ID, which would be easier to replace if lost.

I reminded myself that this worrying is not helping, so I just sat back to relax. After some minutes, I took out my wallet to have a second look. This time, I had a more detailed look at the slot my Driver’s Licence usually is, and…, it was there. Well tucked in the slot that was meant for it. Usually I place my ID cards in a way that I can have a preview of what is where. But somehow, I just fully slotted in the licence.

Tiny changes, Big worries.

“My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.” – Michel de Montaigne

– Osasu Oviawe