The Sampler – Stupid Is As Stupid Does

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5 Minutes for Mom brings you exclusive samplings from the best mom blogs in our weekly column, The Sampler, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom contributing editor Shera, from A Frog In My Soup.

Lisa Spence is the blogger behind Lisa Writes! She and her husband have four boys ages 14, 12, 10 & 8. Lisa loves sharing the Word of God and leads a community Bible Study. A few of her favorite things include coffee, books, dark chocolate, or any of those in combination, “I am sometimes on my back porch enjoying all three.” What else should we know about Lisa? “I am a terrible housekeeper and expert procrastinator. I take life far too seriously and I think far too much, therefore I blog.” I think you’ll enjoy her post today!

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

My boy did something stupid. Granted, he was thirteen at the time, and, well, you moms of teenaged sons know as well as I do that “boy” and “stupid” go hand-in-hand, especially when the boy in question is thirteen years old.

Well, this particular version of stupid manifested itself in a scribble on the wall of a rival school’s team dressing room. Nothing inappropriate mind you, though the powers that be certainly (and with good reason) found a reference to our school’s mascot to be inappropriate to say the least.

The next day, these same powers that be made a phone call to the principal of my son’s school, who then promptly interrupted our team’s practice with all sorts of threats and intimidations. And with an elevated voice level, just to convey to the team the seriousness of the situation.

My son, gripped by the fear of God and perhaps an even greater fear of the principal, confessed, thus ensuring for himself a workout from you-know-where as well as a day of in-school suspension and a half game spent on the bench.

He was not alone in his transgression but alone nonetheless in his confession and punishment, at least at first. The second offender finally owned up to his part, once confronted a day later, and ultimately suffered the same consequences as my boy. Though, I do sometimes wonder if the punishment was indeed equal as I think of this second boy trying to hide the truth of his guilt all the while watching my boy endure both their just due. Been there, done that. I well know the misery of concealed sin.

Though he certainly received his just due at home as well, I am proud of my boy. While we sometimes joke that he needs to “say no to the Sharpie,” I hate that he did something stupid and I sure hope he learned his lesson.

But, still, I am proud. I am proud that he confessed his wrongdoing. I am proud that he took his punishment like a man. I am proud that at the following practice he was humble enough to apologize to the coach and to the team.

Well, you know as well I do that stupid isn’t only relegated to thirteen year old boys. Thirty nine year old moms are guilty as well. I sin; I do things that are stupid and rebellious and prideful and in direct violation of the will of my Lord. Like my boy, I mess up; but unlike my boy, I often refuse to confess even when conviction comes. I want to hide, pretend, rationalize, or ignore.

I do not always receive the Lord’s discipline as His love, nor His conviction as His kindness to me.

Now I ask for humility to see my sin and my wickedness and to confess it as such. May I not despise the Lord’s discipline, but endure, being fully confident that He disciplines me out of His love for me! May I say No, not necessarily to the Sharpie, but to ungodliness, conforming instead to the image of Christ that the name of Jesus may be exalted!

He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Heb. 12:10-11)

~ Written by Lisa Spence of Lisa Writes.

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This column is Hosted by Shera. She can be found at A Frog In My Soup