Goku is what they call a “sayien,” and he is known for defying the odds, training to be the best, never giving up, shattering his limitations, and overcoming all obstacles that stand in his way.  He is the one who brings people together and sees the good in everyone believing even the villain deserves a chance to prove he can be virtuous.  

It’s no wonder why he is Spencer’s favorite character. One night while I am working on my new book, I hear the boys having a discussion. 

John states, “ Spencer, I want to be strong like Goku and have his superpower.”

Spencer’s reply kind of shocked me; I had no idea he felt that way.

“John, I have been praying and praying that I would be strong and have superpowers like Goku, and I don’t…It will never happen, so don’t bother thinking about it.”

Now was my time to chime in; it sounded like a perfect mom moment to me.  I got up from my chair and walked to the living room.

“Hey, Spencer.”

“Yea, mom.”

“Did you know you are just like Goku?”

“Mom, I don’t have superpowers.”

“Spence, do you know what his superpower is?” He gets excited and starts to explain.

“Yea, his muscles he strong, and he can fly….”

“No bud, although that’s cool.  His superpower is his heart.  He has a good heart.  He always does what is good and right.  He forgives people, even the bad ones. He stays true to who he was created and meant to be, and he never gives up no matter how hard things get. Sounds just like you to me.”

My little guys jumped off the couch and gave me a big hug.

I finished with this thought Goku was not born the best warrior on his planet. He grew into a great warrior.  That took time, and you are well on your way.

We need to learn to stand before we can walk, walk before we can run, run before we can sprint. Be patient in the process and never give up.  Keep staying true to who God created you to be.  You have a heart just like that.

He gave me the biggest smile and said 

“Ok, mom, your the best,” and he ran off to suit up in his warrior gear.

 “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. 

Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” ~Hebrews 12:11 CSB

I have four boys, and all of them were diagnosed with ADHD. Before their diagnosis and putting them on a low dose medication correction was a constant thing in my home. You would often hear these word echo thru my house,

“Full body listening, keep your hands off your brother, eyes on me, when do we listen, or finally you guys have too much energy; you need to work on your self-control,” 

It made for very long, emotionally exhausting days, Especially for them.  They often felt defeated, or they failed because of their lack of self-control and constant discipline. 

At times I would also go to bed feeling the same.  

“Have I failed my children? Do I make them unhappy? I wish I did not have to correct them so much.  I just want them to feel loved.”

After battling my insecurities, I gave myself a pep talk. I decided that if I plan on successfully teaching my kids to understand correction, I needed to change my perspective and model it.

 The scripture says: “it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 

Well, if correction is like training, it’s safe to say God is our coach. He will lead us to grow when we have become complacent or too confident in our abilities that we feel we no longer need coaching.

Character building is like training your body to compete athletically. It is painful, exhausting at times, and it takes commitment to better yourself.  If you don’t have the discipline to see past the present discomfort, you will not reap the benefits of future results. So, yes, at times, we will face the uncomfortable truths of correction. No matter how painful it may be, how we view and respond to these situations matter.

One rainy day I was driving with my youngest son John to pick up one of my other sons from a friend’s house. John had some concerns he needed to address, and I guess a rainy car ride was just the place.

“Mom, I wish I did not have lots of energy. I hate it.  Why do I have to have so much energy?”

Imagine the thoughts racing through my head while I know the answer to the question I was about to ask.

“John, why do you hate it? What’s wrong with having lots of energy?” 

Peeking at him through the rearview mirror, I see him staring out the side window, deep in thought.

“I always get yelled at, mom.  It makes me sad.  Why do I need energy if I am just going to be in trouble?”

I took a moment and answered.

“Buddy, God made you perfect.  Even with all your energy.  I am sorry I can’t tell you why you have so much energy, but having it is not bad; you just need to learn to control it.  That takes time, and eventually, you will learn”.

“Ok, mommy.  But I am just telling you I don’t like it.”

The rest of the ride was silent, and I thought of how we adults are no different than my son.  We don’t like the feeling of inadequacy or failure either and avoid it at all costs.

But if we know that correction is suitable for our children. Given only to strengthen them, their character, and done out of love. Why do we focus on the negative side of correction when we need to receive it?   It develops our character, strengthens our weaknesses, and our father does it, or allows it out of love. 

Scripture tells us, “The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,

but the one who rejects correction goes astray.” Proverbs 10:17

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be like my children and run from correction.  I want to be the mom that embraces it and models that for them. 

That means it’s time to change our childlike perspective and trust in the process of correction.

We need to follow instructions and be confident in the direction our coach has given us. 

If not, we are in danger of walking down the wrong path. A path of ignorance and self-pride that keeps us in that downward spiral of self-loathing. (not an attractive look)  

It’s better to choose correction and grow from our mistakes than to sit and ignorance and refuse to grow.

Not sure about you, but I want my children to see me walk in obedience and grow from correction rather than have them see me have an adult size tantrum while God drags me through the changes. Let’s lead by example, showing our children how to accept correction and know they are loved.