A father's love

   My youngest son got in trouble at school this week and received in school suspension. This was his second trip to OCS. His first punishment was for finally defending himself against a boy who picks on him and many others. He was told by his father and I that if the other boy put his hands on him again he had every right to fight back. We also told him he would have a punishment at school but not at home. He served his three days and I was in full agreement with his school on the matter. There is a consequence for every action. However I do struggle with the fact that not all the children receive the same punishments. My child always seems to receive the harshest punishment available.
   Well little mister messed up again. He finds himself back in suspension. My husband was up most of the night because while he knew our son had done a portion of what he was accused of he did not believe he had done all of it. He believed His son! Today Hayden's father went to the school assuring them he knew his son had done things wrong and that he should be punished, but that he felt our son deserved mercy and compassion in these circumstances. We share the belief that he is seldom given the benefit of a doubt. They have decided he is rebellious and so look for it in his actions. It never occurs to them to speak with him and say Hayden you have always been such a good boy. You have seldom been in trouble, and carried straight A's until this year. What's going on? But see, his father knows him and knows his heart and where his motives lie. He knows Hayden is hurt and feels like an outsider in some school situations and since he is a ten year old boy he's not sure how to give voice to this at times.
   This made me think of our Father. He knows the hearts of his sons and daughters. He knows what motivates them and their actions and he knows when others have been quick to seek "justice' against but slow to show mercy towards them. And brothers and sisters he will be quick to go to bat for you. Now while Rick's actions made no difference in Hayden's "sentencing". It will make a difference to him the rest of his life in knowing his father is here for him. Our Father however, is all powerful to change whatever sentencing we should have received. He is full of mercy and compassion and desires to give what we don't deserve.
  Romans 6: 23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our lord. See we deserved the harshest punishment death and eternal damnation but what we received because of His grace and His mercy was eternal life spent with Him! Thank you God for your immeasurable compassion and thank you for giving my boys a father after your own heart!

In the Adams house we practice mercy woven parenting, by Angela Thomas. We want our home to operate under the principles Jesus reflected.
Jesus gives people second chances, we will too.
Jesus doesn't keep reminding people of their forgiven sins; we will stop bringing it up.
Jesus doesn't always give the full measure of punishment; We will follow his lead.
Jesus let wisdom guide his mercy; so will we.

   God bless and keep you Ms. Jill