God's Spanking

by Majetta Morris

In today’s culture, spankings are mostly unheard of because of being taken too far and becoming abuse. But I believe there are times for spankings—a small spat only to get the attention, not injure, the receiver. I believe God gave me a well-deserved spanking for lack of gratitude.
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My romantic, loving, and caring husband gave me a ring for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. It is aquamarine stones and diamond chips set in silver. Although it is beautiful, to me it looked like some costume jewelry I had seen. I attempted to look happy with it, but he felt my dissatisfaction. He explained that he had chosen the aquamarine because it is the December stone—the month of our anniversary.

Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash

When I researched “aquamarine” and found it ranks with diamonds as one of the top four gemstones, I was somewhat mollified. Once when I did wear it, a total stranger saw it and exclaimed profusely over the aquamarine color and setting, telling me how beautiful it was. That did markedly boost my opinion. But there was another issue. It was too large. A few weeks before, we had had our fingers sized for rings. So, he knew my size. Then my husband allowed the clerk to talk him into getting a size larger by saying, “Women’s hands always swell.” Well, mine don’t! After trying to wear it several times even in the summer, I put it away because I was afraid it would slip off and be lost. It was just too big!

I didn’t like the color and I didn’t like the size of this thoughtful gift, so I didn’t wear it and honor my husband.

About a year later my husband mentioned that he had not seen me wear the ring recently. I told him it was too large, and I was afraid I would lose it. I got it, put it on, and showed him. As we were leaving for our weekly shopping excursion, I left it on my finger.

First, we went to Aldi, then to Walmart, then to several other stores. When I arrived home, I realized the ring was not on my finger. I looked in my coat pocket. I looked in my purse. I looked in the car. It was not to be found.

Spat! I felt the sting of correction in my heart. I didn’t want to tell my husband I had lost my ring. We had been so many places during the day, I was afraid I could not retrace my steps. We did nothing more. . .except, I prayed. I asked the Lord to forgive my ungratefulness, my pettiness, my unloveliness. I asked the Lord to help me find the ring.

One week later, we again made our round of shopping. We began at Aldi as usual walking each aisle. When we reached the last aisle—the freezer/refrigerated section—an employee was stocking. I politely asked him if anyone may have found and turned in a ring the week before. I described it in detail. He asked me to wait a moment while he checked in the back.

He returned with my ring! I was amazed! I was so excited I almost hugged him!
I felt that the loss of the ring was a spanking from God, but in love, He returned it to me. . .He got my attention! Who would think that to go back a week later a small ring which had been lost somewhere in a grocery store could be retrieved?!

Needless to say, we had the ring resized. Each time I wear it, as I do frequently now, I remember to be grateful and appreciative.
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“…For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all." Hebrews 12:6-8 NLT

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Majetta Morris, a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God, began her first Sunday School teaching assignment when she was twelve. With husband, Wayne, and daughters, Scarlett and Keena, she ministered throughout the southwest U.S. in Kids Krusades for ten years before going to Okinawa, Japan to minister in schools, churches, and the local community for a total of sixteen years. After retiring in Springfield, MO in 2007, she began professionally editing as a freelancer at the request of a friend. Majetta loves reading, writing, crafting, teaching, and editing.

​Contact Majetta at [email protected] for assistance to publish your writing projects.

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