Discipline

Ah, that 10-letter word that no one really wants to hear!

This year for Lent, my son decided to give up video games and I was so incredibly stunned when he shared his decision with me. Stunned...and proud.

Giving something up, isn't easy. Especially when it's a pretty big part of your life. Nick giving video games up would be the equivalent to me giving up...Diet Coke. But come on, let's get realistic! :) Actually, at $7.48/24 pack plus the $1.20 deposit you pay, giving up Diet Coke is sounding a little bit more appealing! (for me, the addict)

Anyway...back to my son and his video games. Ever since the release of Call of Duty Modern Warfare2, Nick has been glued to the television every free second he has. And then you factor in the concept of having the opportunity to chat live with his friends and family? Let's just say that his attention is entirely focused on one thing. ...getting the most "kills."

When he explained to me his decision to give it up for Lent, I thought there was no way. None! I also thought about how wonderful it would be to have his attention "back" as well as my room! (Unfortunately between his room and mine there is only one Internet connection. Lucky me!)

Somewhere along the road between what I was taught and what they are teaching now in regards to Lent, has changed. Apparently, it is acceptable during this season to do/eat whatever you gave up on Sundays in remembrance of what Christ did for us. And we are to reflect on that as we partake in whatever it is that we have given up. ...Somehow I find it hard to believe that as Nick is shooting a "cyber-soldier" he's praising Jesus or thanking God. But I have allowed him to play his XBox Live on Sundays.

However, yesterday...there was a slight problem. As he was interacting with friends he made the decision to shut the rest of the world (namely his mom) ...out. When asked to help his grandpa put a desk together, it was instant attitude. A little while later, something else came up that I questioned him about and there was no response from him whatsoever. Oh wait, there was something. It was the "eye roll, hands on the sides, turn the head, and completely ignore response." Fine. I'm the one in control..."It's ok, Nick. You're done playing that game for the day." I grabbed it out of the XBox, placed it in its cover, and found a good spot for it to sit. Maybe until next Sunday, maybe until Easter. I haven't decided yet.

I had to work last night at the church and the following is the text message conversation Nick and I had...

N: Whatd yOu do with call of duty
M: Hid it

N: Where

pause....

N: I want to play woth my friends

M: You can wait

N: No theyll be off

N: Come on

N: Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please tell me where it is

N: Hello

M: Nick, I'm working and you're making this situation worse. You can wait until I get home or you can wait until Easter

I'm assuming he caught my drift, because that was the end of the text conversation.

I have learned that the only thing worse than being disciplined...is having to discipline. Especially your child. I take no pleasure in telling him no, regardless of how empowering it is to sometimes play the "I'm the parent" card. It's not fun. But sometimes you just have to do it.

Maybe some of you can see where this is going, but as I was at the church last night and all of this had unfolded, I was reminded of how similar the reactions are when our God, disciplines us.

Dare we ever roll our eyes? (maybe not literally) Hands on our hips? What about the "I'm just going to look away." Does it ever change things? Maybe for a "soft" mother who can't bear to tell her child no. But for God? If we stand there, batting our eyelashes with a puppy dog face, uttering the words "please" fifteen times, do we expect Him to just give in? And how many times do we plea with him over and over, and in his silence say, "hello?"

Discipline isn't easy. But discipline is necessary. Embrace it. It's usually for your best interest.