MUTINY!

It's alright----don't call the police yet. I thought it was Somali pirates, but it was just my boys, Tigger and Mongo. But it was an honest mistake. The degree of their mutiny varies from day to day, but it's always there.

Today I am deeply in angst over the matter of corporal punishment. Human wisdom says that there is a disconnect in the process of spanking a child. You are in effect saying "don't hit" while in the midst of striking the child on the softest part of his body. But the Bible also says the wisdom of the wise is foolish in God's economy. So I'm left wondering.

I haven't ever been overwhelmed with a sense of righteousness when compelled to spank my children. However, I do fear the overwhelming sense of failure and self-loathing if/when one of them runs out into the street. Scripture says that a Father who loves his children does not spare them the rod. It also says that a Father who loves his son will chastise him for the sake of righteousness. So there's that.

Tigger and Mongo both seem to forget on a daily basis that pulling the stuffing out of the cushions on the front porch is a sin in the eyes of their father. They do however have overlapping gaps in their memories, and will frequently narc the other out. And here is the where the friction really begins for me.

I have instructed Tigger that Mongo is his little brother, and therefore, will look to him for protection, advice, safety and shelter. And that Tigger is partly (along with his Mama and Papa) responsible for his well being and good upbringing. And this is mostly to instill in him a sense of self-respect as an older brother, and a sense of protection over his sibs, rather than a sense of, oh, say, COMPETITION and antagonism. Follow me?

And that's all fine and good until he sees himself as a disciplinarian. Right? So as I walk around the corner I see Tigger slap Mongo on the back, as 'go is pulling a giant wad of stuffing out of a pillow. ARGH! Can depravity never be halted!!! Hateful sin, I DESPISE THEE!

Now, on the other hand, had he come into the house and told me that Mongo was being naughty, I may very well have said, "Thank you for telling me, but be careful not to tattle." So, that's helpful isn't it?

Don't take matters into your own hands, and don't be a tattle tale. Hmph. And then I wonder when I see apathy. Where is there left for me to go with a four year old and a two year old? I am somewhat at a loss for how to proceed. Because this will just keep coming.

Certainly the apostles chided the young churches. But I am unable to arrive at a firm position based on a specific biblical example. And I'm not altogether comfortable assuming the role of God the Father to Israel, as portrayed in the prophets and annuls of the Kings, for I am righteous only by virtue of Christ, and not myself. So...