Correction with a Kiss 爱的管教
Dexu Xia
God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. Hebrews 12:10
In his parable The Wise Woman, George MacDonald tells the story of two girls, whose selfishness brings misery to all, including themselves, until a wise woman puts them through a series of tests to help them become “lovely” again.
After the girls fail each test and suffer shame and isolation, one of them, Rosamond, finally realizes she can’t change herself. “Couldn’t you help me?” she asks the wise woman. “Perhaps I could,” the woman replied, “now that you ask me.” And with the divine help symbolized by the wise woman, Rosamond begins to change. She then asks if the woman would forgive all the trouble she’s caused. “If I had not forgiven you,” the woman says, “I would never have taken the trouble to punish you.”
There are times when God disciplines us. It’s important to understand why. His correction isn’t driven by retribution but by a fatherly concern for our welfare (Hebrews 12:6). He also desires that we may “share in his holiness,” enjoying a harvest of “righteousness and peace” (vv. 10-11). Selfishness brings misery, but holiness makes us whole, joyful, and “lovely” like Him.
Rosamond asks the wise woman how she can love a selfish girl like her. Stooping to kiss her, the woman replies, “I saw what you were going to be.” God’s correction too comes with love and a desire to make us who we’re meant to be.
By: Sheridan Voysey
How have you understood God’s discipline in the past? How might He have disciplined you recently in order to make you more lovely?
Father God, thank You for Your correction, as painful as it can be. You bring it for my good.
万灵的父管教我们，是要我们得益处，使我们在祂的圣洁上有分。—希伯来书12章10节
苏格兰作家乔治·麦克唐纳（George MacDonald）在他所着的一本寓言故事书（The Wise Woman）中，讲述两名女孩因自私自利而害人害己。直到一位满有智慧的妇人让她们经历重重考验，帮助她们再次变得“可爱”。
女孩们每次考验都失败，因而感到羞愧和无助，其中一个名叫萝莎蒙的女孩，最终明白无法改变自己，就问那位智慧的妇人说：“妳能帮助我吗？”妇人回答：“既然妳问我，也许我能。”在智慧妇人的帮助下（象征着上帝的帮助），萝莎蒙开始改变。接着，她问妇人能否原谅她过去所犯的过错。妇人说：“若我不原谅妳，就不会费心管教妳，让妳接受考验。”
有时上帝会管教我们，明白背后的原因是很重要的。祂的管教不是处罚，而是慈父对孩子的关爱（希伯来书12章6节）。祂也希望我们能“在祂的圣洁上有份。⋯⋯结出平安的果子，就是义的果子”（10-11节，和合本修订版）。自私带来痛苦，但圣洁会使我们能像上帝那样完全、喜乐与“可爱”。
萝莎蒙问智慧的妇人，怎么会喜欢像她这样自私的女孩？妇人弯下腰亲吻她，然后回答：“因为我看见妳将来会成为什么样的人。”上帝的管教也同样带着爱和期望，为要使我们恢复受造时美好的样式。
作者： 霍薛顿
你如何理解过去上帝对你的管教？
祂最近如何管教你，使你变得更可爱？
天父上帝，感谢祢管教我，尽管这过程很痛苦，但祢的管教使我得益处。