“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)
As we get out of bed to alarms we really don’t want to obey, the discipline of facing our daily responsibilities does seem painful. Whether those responsibilities are taking you to a job outside the home or to your laptop for a few quiet hours of work, or to the stove to start making breakfast for hungry little mouths, the daily push to get up and show up can start to feel like more of a burden than a blessing.
But a blessing is what it is. Not just the end result of that discipline, in the form of good work that is appreciated by your boss, or fed and nourished children, or time spent on something you’re passionate about. But what happens within you when you follow a right path and you feel content with what you are doing.
I don’t love waking up super early for my God time because my bed is really comfy. Nor do I like pulling on my sneakers to go for a run. The discipline of both feels painful at the time, but the way I feel after (I can’t say during because running feels best when it’s over) makes my commitment feel well worth it.
I know that, as a mother, the nighttime tuck-ins, the reading of the same story over and over, and the preparation of healthy meals when I just want to get something from a drive-thru window are rewarded in the end by healthy, happy children. And I can lay my head down at night knowing I cared for them the best that I could. Not perfectly, but with loving intention.
So whether it was an alarm or a crying baby that got you out of bed this morning, know that you are blessed by your efforts. Your discipline will pay off in righteousness and peace.
Have a wonderful Monday!
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