“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’”
Genesis 3:8-9
So much here we can relate to parenting. First, how often do your kids do something wrong and then they hear you and hide? They may physically hide, but so often they just hide what they did.
Closing the cookie package and putting it in the pantry quickly.
Lying about what they did to their brother or sister or about what they broke.
Shutting down their phone or computer as you walk in the room.
Why did Adam and Eve hide? They were scared and ashamed. They didn’t want to get in trouble. Sound familiar?
But then look what God did? He didn’t come in heavy handed. He didn’t come in with accusations. He asked a question. “Where are you?” When they answered that question, he asked more. “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
Now eventually God banished them from the garden. After he talked with them, he decided on the punishment. But in all of it, he wanted to continue the relationship.
What if we handled disobedience more like God did? Asking a question first. Making sure we know what really happened. Not being heavy handed, particularly at first.
And then once we understand the situation, then we can decide on any needed consequences. These consequences will be received better and often even in the discipline, our relationship with our kids will improve.
