Delight/Discipline
by Tracy Hicks on April 21st, 2026
What if the key to better parenting isn't trying harder, but understanding how God parents you? Most of us swing between two extremes—either we're all affection with no authority, or all rules with no relationship. But God does both. He delights in us AND disciplines us. The Hebrew word for delight means to accept, approve, enjoy, and take pleasure in. That's how God sees you—not just tolerating you, but genuinely liking you because of what Jesus did. And when He corrects you, it's never to humiliate, but always to restore. Your kids need the same thing: to know they're cherished *and* guided. They need to hear "I love you" and "I'm proud of you" regularly—but they also need boundaries set with grace, not anger. This week, tell your child one specific thing you love about them. Then ask God to show you one area where you need to grow as a parent. You don't have to be perfect. You just need to be present, humble, and willing to learn. Read More