Thinking it through

In all that we do, are we taking the time to think it through? Do we question of ourselves why we do what we do, and why we do it the way we do?

I began to think about this last night after my husband and I read a few chapters from the book Shepherding A Child’s Heart, by Tedd Tripp. This book has been encouraging and last night really challenged me to look at why I discipline the way that I do, and to think about what my true motivation is for disciplining my children. Is it for the sake of having well behaved children? Is it for the approval of others? Is it for me? Or is it, as it should be, for the glory of God alone? The Shorter Catechism answers its first question, “what is the chief end of man?” in this way: “man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” If we are believers, our chief end in disciplining our children ought to be glorifying God.

Another great point that Tedd Tripp made in his book was that when we have family worship or devotion time, it is not for the sake of worship time, or ritual, or such, but purely for the sake of knowing God. I want to be sure that my children understand that we read the Bible and pray to God not because of habit or because it may be a good thing to do, but because we want to learn about God and because we want to know Him.

So in all that we do, let’s remember to think it through, and let’s purpose to keep our motivations pure.