I have been reading through two books in the evenings, alternating between them because of the refreshing differences in topic and difficulty. However, the other night after reading a few pages of each, I came to the amused realization that despite being written on different continents, in different centuries, my two "different" books were sounding uncannily similar. Here is an excerpted portion of what I read that night:
"For it is indeed true that none of us has a right to exercise authority, in things great or small, except as we are, and acknowledge ourselves to be, deputed by the One Supreme and Ultimate Authority."
-Charlotte Mason, Homeschooling Series, Vol. 3
"Clear thinking about the function of discipline illustrates the importance of seeing yourself as God's agent, called by God to be in charge. If correction orbits around the parent who has been offended, then the focus will be venting anger or, perhaps, taking vengeance. The function is punitive. If, however, correction orbits around God as the One offended, then the focus is restoration. The function is remedial. It is designed to move a child who has disobeyed God back to the path of obedience. It is corrective." - Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Child's Heart
Where does our authority as parents stem from? Interestingly, our actual disciplinary action/ method might look the same. But this perspective takes out all the fuming, "how DARE they disrespect MEEE like that!" I don't suppose the police officer takes it personally that someone was speeding, even when because of his court-appointed position, he writes out the ticket. I want to see myself as God's agent for bringing up HIS children in HIS ways, instead of ruling MY children so that they do things MY way, and above all, don't embarrass MEEEEE!.
ALH<><
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