A few days ago, I had the privilege of celebrating my friend’s birthday with her and her family.
For the celebration, she had an in home dinner with some of her favorite foods, with her immediate family and a few friends. I was honored to be included.
It was a casual event, yet felt formal. As we waited for the food to be prepared, and serving time got closer, she called her daughter down.
Her daughter came down as she would for a normal evening meal – except this evening, it was not just a normal meal.
When she got downstairs and while we all said hello, her mom called her over – still in the center of the room. She pulled her close to her, whispered a few things in a language most of us wouldn’t understand. They had a quiet exchange and her daughter went back upstairs. She emerged a few minutes later, with a few minor changes, but looking very differently.
For me, there was such a beauty in the exchange that I started tearing up. Then started crying to the point that I had to go to the bathroom to clean up my face and wonder where did all the emotions come from.
Maybe, I think of the Jamaican mom in me that would have blurted out my correction for everyone in the room to hear, arguing that we are all close friends anyway.
As I had devotion the next morning and opened my Bible, these were the verses that were marked off:
Proverbs 29:15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
When we hear of correcting our children, based on how some of us were raised, we may thing of harsh words and punishment. But, what I witnessed from my friend was correction with love and grace.
When her beautiful, teenage daughter emerged a few moments later, she came back confident and happy to engage with all of us. Her mother had not emotionally beat her down with words, so it allowed her to continue to be comfortable in our presence.
May I always remember this lesson when I interact with my daughter and others. I can correct discreetly with love and grace, even in the midst of a room filled with others.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for such a beautiful example of relationship and correcting our children in love. We know that this is an example from you, because you love us, you correct us with your gentle care. We are reminded that as a Father, you do not condemn us and cause us to feel bad, but you convict us with love.