Weekly Encourager Retraction for May 6, 2003

Dear Readers,
 
I would like to ask your forgiveness.  It has come to my attention that the Weekly Encourager I sent out earlier this morning (6 May 2003) came across with a rather heavy, "preachy" tone which I did not intend.  I think that because I feel unusually strongly about this issue, it came out in too forceful a way.  The reason I feel it so strongly is that I've struggled so much with my own ability to properly correct my children.  How I wish I had been firmer with my boys when they were younger!  For every time I was lax then, I'm suffering now.  My dismay over my own failures, as well as sincere concern for dear, over-stressed friends, was my motivation.  I wish I could spare those of you with younger kids some of the grief I've known.  I certainly did not mean to imply that my children never interrupt my conversations, or that they are always obedient in every way.  Far from it!
 
It can be so hard to keep putting forth the effort to discipline a child the way I know I should for his good and for my own sanity.  The world, the flesh, and the devil all conspire against me.  Yet if God is for me, who can be against me?  He loves me.  My Encourager was meant to remind myself as well as my readers that God is powerful enough to help me, even in this area.  He wants to help and bless me.  Thank God!
 
I hope you all will accept my apology.  Please continue to share your reactions with me; I benefit so much from them.  Let iron sharpen iron, and thus honor the Lord as we journey on together in this life.  I appreciate you all so much.  It is an honor even to have so many of you reading what I write.  Please join me in praying that my words will help and heal rather than hurt.
 
God is faithful,
j