Lessons from the Carwash

Written by Chuck Guthrie

Proverbs 23:13 says, “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him…he will not die.” Keep this verse in mind as you read.

 About four years ago, I talked my wife into purchasing a top-of-the-line mini-van. Complete with power locks, flip down TV screen, headsets, safety features - the works! For our family it was perfect! And, with our youngest child, a four-year-old boy, all the child proof locks and doors were a plus.

Unfortunately, the sunroof wasn’t very child-proof. Although my wife is an excellent mommy in pretty much every area, she couldn’t say “no” to our son when the van was parked and he wanted to climb in and out of the sunroof. I couldn’t believe she allowed him to do that! I wasn’t concerned with my son’s safety, but that the rubber lining might get messed up or something might get bent. She assured me that his tiny, delicate, precious hands couldn’t do such a thing. But, the problem was those hands (and the rest of him) would get bigger. And, since we hadn’t disciplined him in this area, at some point the rubber seal did get messed up. This van, that cost more than our parents first house, now leaked when it rained! 

Our son is now eight-years-old and the van is not so shiny and new. Recently, we took the van through a car wash. Now, I’d learned to be prepared and had brought along several towels. While we were in the wash, the extra pressure and the angle of the sprayer happened to shoot water right at my son and get him pretty wet. He couldn’t believe how severe the leak was and he wondered why it was so bad. So I explained it was from the little, sweet version of him climbing up there. He said, “Why did y’all let me do that?” (Isn’t it funny how we naturally blame our parents for everything?) I thought it was interesting how he was now suffering the consequences for what he should not have been doing four years ago. He was innocent then, and though he would not have liked being told “no,” it would have been in his best interest.

Are there areas of your child’s life where you need to take time to find appropriate discipline? If you’ll be consistent now, it may keep him or her from getting all wet or hurt down the road. Take this matter to God, and see if He brings to your heart and mind any ways to continue improving as a loving and effective parent. You can do it –with His help. 

Chuck Guthrie’s heart is to present home decorating and improvement ideas with the ever-present theme of Jesus Christ’s lordship in the home.

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