This is the continuation of the video message about disciplining our children. This video is all about rewarding our kids when we see them do good and choose the right thing.

So, for those of you who can’t understand Amharic, here is what I am saying:

Disciplining our kids when they disobey without rewarding them when they obey is a cruel parenting style. It is like a speed camera. If we drive above the speed limit, the camera takes a picture of our car and the traffic office will send us a speed ticket.

I don’t like to get a speed ticket and you know what I always say whenever I get this annoying speed ticket?

How come they don’t put another camera that takes a picture of those drivers who are driving at the speed limit years and years?????

It’s unnerving, isn’t it? I mean, if there was a reward for that, well, I would have gotten a check or two by now. But that is not the case. This is the kind relationship between me, the driver, and the traffic law. There is no other relationship than that. The camera is there to catch me only when I make a mistake.

Well, parenting shouldn’t be like that. It is good and health to discipline our kids when they disobey us defiantly. But we also have to pay attention to the good things they do. We also need to appreciate their obedience by rewarding them. The reward they get and the appreciation they hear from us will motivate them more to obey than disobey.

And this is the way God, as our heavenly Father, is raising us in Christ, disciplining us when we disobey and rewarding us when we obey. The command says, “Pray” – Well, if I pray, what do I get? My prayer is answered by God. That is why we keep going to God, motivated by the reward we get from our obedience.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) ///