Does God ever put us in Time Out?
This weekend my friend explained a discipline technique called, Time In. It’s the opposite of a Time Out for a child.
Instead of sending the child to sit alone, you make that child stay with you for an extended amount of time. This technique is to be used when a child is getting in trouble for attention seeking behavior.
I love this idea and plan to utilize it. It got me thinking about how with God, it is always Time In.
God is always with us, even when we are being disciplined. We may be lonely for human companionship during a time of discipline but God never puts us in Time Out and walks away. Never.
We can be naughty and yet, He says, “You work through this and I will wait. I will wait as long as I have to for you.”
If you feel like you’ve been put in a time out, let me assure you that He’s right there. Always patient. Always waiting. Always loving.
Lord,
Today, we come before you and ask that you make your presence known. We long to feel you with us and to feel your loving kindness. If there is anything in our hearts you long to have us work through, please show us the way. We pray for your guidance and discernment.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Have you ever been through a time where you felt God had put you in a Time Out? Share about a time that you knew God had given you a Time In. Leave in the comment area below.
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LOL, I think your post has put a name to my experience! I’m pretty sure I have been in a very long, 21 years, timeout. I have been living in the same house in the same town doing the same thing for 28 years. I have tried to escape, longed for a different life, but have had to trust God and learn to accept my lot in life. I love how you made the point that God is with us during these times.
Hrm. This one required some thought. Your one sentence– “you make the child stay with you for an extended time” gets translated into my circumstances “there is only one theme to life crises for an extended time”. My current theme? Don’t do things in the natural–handle the uh-oh’s of life by being in sync with the Spirit.” Of course, my spiritual antenna isn’t always on the right frequency, my normal mode kicks in, etc etc. But the times that I’ve allowed God to position me have been awesome!
Creative writing assignments come in all shapes and sizes. I’ve been trying to find words for the spiritual sensations I’ve had, for example, the profound sense of knowing which life events then confirms to have been from God…. Any hints? Thanks!
Learn to accept God in your life. You know what your post is just amazing!. I really love it.
Thank you Carol.
A very nice thought. I hope that more parents will be able to practice that.
I hope they do too. But I really hope that we all focus on being in time in with God.