I show up early before 5/8 to set up, and a couple of weeks ago I took several kids along with me to help. I left them in the room with a new leader, and then went to another part of the church to get the projector. When I came back, the leader informed me that two of the boys had an altercation that began with name-calling and turned into hitting one another. I told the two boys that I was going to take them home (standard protocol for fights), but waited for the rest of the boys and leaders to arrive to help get them started. I then told the two boys to come with me.
As we were walking to my car and then on the way home, they said they didn't need to go home, that it was settled and they had apologized to one another. I explained that this is what happens when you get in a fight, you go home and you miss the next field trip. As we approached their houses, I said I needed to talk to their parents. Again, they said that wasn't necessary, but I insisted. I spoke to one parent right then, but the other wasn't home so I returned later that night after 5/8 was over.
Both of these boys are frequent visitors to my house, and I generally have very good relationships with them, but I wondered if my disciplinary action would make them resentful towards me, if they wouldn't come to the next meeting, etc., and if I did the right thing. That Saturday, we had a small group dinner where we took the 5th and 6th graders to the UVA football game. As I was getting ready to leave to pick up the food and the bus, the two boys involved in the altercation arrived at my house separately. They both asked if they could join me. I said yes.
I really think this was God's way of reassuring me that I handled the situation the right way, and that I was loving them through it. As the Scripture says:
"My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in." - Proverbs 3:11-12
No comments:
Post a Comment