THOUGH HE SLAY ME

My sixth grade teacher was from the REALLY old school---the dark ages.  IF you dared to get out of line or not do your work and do it promptly, she had a strange form of punishment.  On the side of her desk she kept a wooden paddle.  It was perhaps two feet long and six inches wide with perhaps one half an inch of thickness.  You were required to stand in front of the class and give your self a prescribed number of licks AND if she deemed them not hard enough---SHE then took the paddle and did the deed.  There were many whippings that year, but she never had to do the work.  As for me, I have never worked harder or performed prompter--avoiding that dreaded paddle.



Before you come unglued and denounce her cruel punishment, let me come to her defense.  In those days physical punishment was not unusual.  In most cases, the administering was done by the principal.  Mrs. Futch's method, though unusual, was extremely effective.  She ruled with an iron hand.  I LOVED her--though she was tough---I learned how to study that year.  She taught me the fine art of outlining and the fruit of this was an effective method of note taking which has served me well my entire. life.  Yes it was a tough year--but  she cared about her students and I still praise her for excellent teaching and always had great respect for her .

My first boss, after obtaining my accounting degree, was really something.  He was prone to huge outbursts filled with extremely colorful language. His  brilliance and competence were combinations which only accepted perfect output.  If you dared to omit one of the steps in his procedures or your work appeared sloppy, his correction was swift and merciless.  He demanded perfection from his staff, but in the process you learned how to be a professional.  Through our relationship, I was tiptoeing through the mind field of his outbursts, once he blew--it was over in a short time and he held no grudges, but the carnage was never pretty.  I always had tremendous respect for him and was thankful for his professional guidance.  I held him out as the best in his field in our area and he held my professional respect his entire career.



In our short twelve verses, David praised God---even when his son had been taken from him.  His praise was a direct result of his trust.  David knew who God was and praised Him NOT for the loss of his son---but because He knew God's character.  He had faith that God's plan for him--though painful at times--was always best.  David trusted God and praised Him for who he was.,

I love the Book of Job and one of my favorite verses comes from the 13th chapter---"Though he slay me, yet I will trust in Him."  As I have grown in my faith, trust has grown.  It has taken a long time to realize even when times are tough--really tough--He is still worthy of my praise.  God's ways are not our ways--His thoughts are not our thoughts--and my faith relies upon the promises within The Word.  I know He loves me---when things stink--the pain is unbearable--life is a mess---He still loves me.  We know the plans He has for us--plans to prosper us and not harm us.  During those times when I long for Heaven, I cling to who He is and the promises He made me.  In the worst of times, I praise Him.


Then David got up from the ground.
  After he had washed, put on lotions, and changed his clothes,
 he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.
2 Samuel 12:20

4 comments

  1. Aaah ... school days. I remember when I was at school my teacher wrote in my report, "He will go down in history. Also in geography, maths, science and chemistry." Unlike another kid, Raymond, I was not too bright. Raymond had success written all over him. The other kids did it with their pens. Once, another teacher said to me, "Your grammar stinks!" Which was unfair since my grandma always smelled of best Norfolk lavender cologne. My Religious Instructions teacher asked, "Who brought down the walls of Jericho?" I said it was not me. She reported me to the headteacher. The headteacher called in my dad and told him what I said. My dad replied, "if he said he did not do it, I for one believe him!"

    Do you think God is too lenient with us? Unlike in the Old Testament when He sent pestilence and frogs and all sort of bad things to those who disobeyed Him, like turning them into pillars of salt? Would we be better people if He treated us like in the Old Testament?

    God bless.

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    Replies
    1. Now that is something to ponder, Victor!! You should write about it!
      Blessings, My Funny Friend!

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  2. Oh, we shall not discuss corporal punishment, I went to Catholic school and remember many times having my knuckles bloddied by a ruler.

    Oh, I think the good Lord is way to lenient...but our time is coming friend, our time is coming....no doubt.

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    Replies
    1. The Word clearly tells us we will all face judgment. OUCH to the bloody knuckles!
      Blessings, My Friend!

      Delete

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