Monday, November 5, 2012

Cut your own Switch


Cut your own switch…
I grew up in an era when corporal punishment just came with being a kid.  My Grandma watched us while mom and dad worked.  I never doubted she loved me.  I also never doubted I better behave.  As kids often do, I found ways to get in trouble.  Grandma always gave me several warnings, but every now and then I pushed her too far.   When Grandma said, “Dianna Lynn…” in that tone only grandmas and moms possess, I knew I should stop.  However, sometimes I figured whatever I was doing was worth the punishment.  And punish me she did.
  I clearly remember one of those times.  I do not remember my age.  Probably around six.  It was a chilly morning.  Grandma’s house had big gas registers in the floor that heated their two-story double.   I discovered if I dropped crayons through the grate, they hissed and melted down the side of the duct.  For some reason, this fascinated me.  Grandma warned me of impending punishment.  But, I did it anyway.  Sure enough, the smell of burning crayon alerted my Grandma: “Dianna Lynn go cut me a switch.”
Some of you may not even know what a “switch” is.  A switch is a small flexible branch from a bush or tree my grandma used in place of a paddle.  If you misbehaved badly enough, grandma made you go cut your own switch from a bush in her backyard.  If you did not bring one sturdy enough to inflict at least a sting….well, let’s just say you knew you better get a decent switch.  A “switching” and description of the reason for your punishment ensued.  Then, I usually wound up in the corner until the tears stopped and I promised to not do it again.
Today’s authorities most likely would frown on my grandma’s form of discipline.  To be sure, corporal punishment is dangerous when used by an abusive or angry authority figure.  However,  Grandma’s discipline taught me valuable lessons in life.  I learned respect for adults and authority.  I learned that all behavior has consequences.  Grandma instilled in me a need to keep my word.  She never rushed to punish, but knew that I needed boundaries.  She intended to teach a precocious strong-willed child those boundaries because she loved me.  I never once doubted she loved me, not even when I felt the sting of a switch.
God is a Father who believes in disciplining His children. For instance, there is the story of King David.    God loved King David as a man after His own heart.  David reveled in that love, but like a much-loved child he sometimes presumed on God’s love and sinned.  He angered God so much at one point, God sent a prophet to correct him.  David had a choice between  three days of plague or three years of famine or three months of running from his enemies (2 Samuel 24).  In effect, God said, “David, cut your own switch.” 
Did David rebel, doubt God’s love, or bitterly resent the discipline?  No David owned his sin.  He realized God’s grace in stopping him and punishing him for his misdeeds.  That’s the old way, before Jesus right?  No!  Grace brings salvation from sins, but does not mean we are not responsible for our actions!  We will reap what we sow and we will experience the consequences.  In fact the author of Hebrews says, “God disciplines those he loves.”
So I look at it this way. Some bad stuff just happens.  Some things we suffer because of others.  However, a lot of the things we bemoan in our life we bring on ourselves.  So before we do the poor pitiful me or where is God stuff, how about we look back and see if we are simply experiencing the promise of God’s grace in our lives.  Like crayons dropped furnace grate, the stench of sin reaches the nostrils of our loving Heavenly Father.  When He’s had enough, He will warn you.   And there will come a time when you will know the sting of His discipline.  Let that be a time when through your tears you are reassured that it is His grace and love in action to save you from yourself.

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