A Dirty Word-Correction

When we are newborns, our mothers feed us milk. Eventually we graduate from bottle to cup.  Then we graduate from milk to food.  The graduation process continues until one day, we have to leave the comforts of home and stand on our own.  In the process, there are plenty of times of correction.  Its start off with No, you can’t do that.  Then it proceeds to a time out.  Then it proceeds to that good old fashion spanking.  Then it proceeds to being grounded.  Why parents do all of this in our journey of growing up?  In those times of correction, it is for our own good.  In the long run it makes up a better woman or a better man for it.  You look back as an adult and appreciate it, as parents was only trying to keep you out of harm’s way and help you mature into a responsible young adults for society to prosper from.  What do some of us notice with kids and never received a form a discipline and get whatever they want?  They notice they become adult spoiled brats.  Having an attitude of  you are suppose to do this for them and now life having to show them it’s not all about them!

That same journey is in our relationship with God….

Titus 2:1-8

1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

3The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7In all things showing you a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Psalm 94:12

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teaches him out of thy law;

Hebrews 12:6

For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Hmmmm… there is more than one scripture about correction or discipline.   See as we mature in God, there will be time of correction.  No ones like correction.  We all like the blessing, but when God says you acting too selfish, we freeze.  Children of God, how do you expect to grow to maturity without correction?  Even in the natural is has its place.  So when you've been coming to church for a while and the mother says “baby, let’s put that hem lower for we don’t want to excite the men in here”; that is not bullying, that is not judgment, that is correction.  And yes women, the older women are to teach us young women.  We may not like it all the time but God has them there for us to grow up!

I be the first one to admit when I was younger I use to take such correction as “they are old and done lived their life.  Now they want to ruin my fun”.  Now that I’m older, no…that is not what they were doing.  They were helping me mature in my walk with God.  When you come to church with your dress so tight, I can see your glory; my mind is not on the Lord so our men’s mind is definitely not.  Come as you are is for those just coming to God, not those sitting in church for over a year!  Let’s keep it real. 

I have experienced God correct me right through the pastor several times.  One example is I was having a personal conversation with my mom stating how I would get a breast augmentation...yes…hot mess.  We went to church service that night and the speaker busted out saying do you not like how God made you.  What is this talk about some plastic surgery.  My eyes popped out…but the scripture He will beautify the meek with salvation came to mind.   Saints, sometimes God will correct us.  He will use the pastor, the church mothers, another saint, or just plain show you Himself.  This is also part of God’s love.  It’s not all I will bless you with this or that, it's also will I will correct you. Read the word, God blesses with correction.  Let’s thank God for His correction, as he loves us.  No, it doesn't feel good but crucifying the flesh never feels good.  Marinate!