Buffy licked his master's hand in sympathy. Then he jumped up and ran to the gate as Seth's friend Ethan came into the yard with his big dog, Marcus. "What's the matter with you?" Ethan asked as he plopped down beside Seth.
Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to eNewsletter
"Nothin'," Seth answered shortly. Then he added, "My mom grounded me because I told a little lie."
"My mom never grounds me," bragged Ethan.
"Maybe that's why you're always in trouble at school," Seth snapped.
At that moment a biker pedaled past the house, and the two dogs went out the open gate. "Come back here, Marcus!" Ethan yelled as he started after his dog.
Seth stood up. "Buffy! Come here!" he called. Buffy stopped immediately and came back to Seth while Ethan continued down the street, calling and coaxing his dog to stop. They went three blocks before Marcus decided to let his master catch him.
"I thought Marcus was going to get run over!" exclaimed Ethan when he came back with his dog. "He ran right in front of a car." Looking at Buffy, he added, "You sure got your dog well trained. How'd you do it?"
"I always punished him when he didn't obey," Seth told Ethan. "I hated to do it, but Dad said it was part of my responsibility in training him. Buffy soon learned to obey me."
"Punishment sounds so mean," objected Ethan. "I love my dog. I can't treat him like that!"
"Well, punishing him a few times could save his life some day--after all, he almost got run over because he didn't come when you called," Seth reminded Ethan. "I love Buffy, too, that's why I punished . . ." Seth stopped as he remembered what his mother had said. Maybe her love isn't such a funny kind after all, he thought. Maybe Ethan's kind of love is strange.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your parents punish you and also say they love you? They are telling you the truth. God says it's their responsibility to train you-even punish you-when you need it. They don't enjoy doing that, but they know a little correction now can save you a lot of trouble later. Instead of being angry, think about the thing you did and thank God for the discipline they've given.
TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Proverbs 22:15 (KJV)
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him. *Verse displayed is NKJV
© 2013 CBH Ministries.
No comments:
Post a Comment