\doc\web\99\08\spank.txt
From: SLEMH@aol.com (by way of Fred Battey <fredb001@dreamscape.com>)
Subject: Speak UP!!!  Don't compromise!!!  Don't Waver!!!!   /Non-Ed 


This morning I had to take my little 6 year old daughter Hannah to the
dentist. My 9 year old Mary stayed with me in the small waiting room.  The
room was packed with people and children.  As I sat quietly reading THE NEW
AMERICAN, and minding my own business, two little babies began to act up.
One was not quite a year, a boy.  His mother was having a horrible time
making him be still. She told him to hush....that didn't work.    She
threatened him...that didn't work. She grabbed him in her arms, wrapped him
in an old dirty blanket and (sort of meanfully) she tried to physically
force him to be still and stop shrieking.  At the same time another mother
nearby was having the identical problem with her 2 year old little girl.  I
watched that little 2 year old stick her tongue out at her mother, yell no
back at her loudly, push at her mother while the mother very coldly and
firmly just kept telling her what to do while she did not obey her.  I
looked around the room.   Some people were watching.  Some continued to
read the paper acting like nothing was happening (who knows maybe nothing
was happening in their surrounding worlds...typical huh....but I doubt it.)
Finally,  I could take no more.


In this very small room in front of everybody I said,  "You need to spank
your children."  Instantly, all eyes were on me!  It got quiet quick.  Even
the disobedient little ones turned quizically and looked at me.  There was
an instant ...just an instant....when I could have backed off.  But I
didn't.  I continued, "God's Word tells us that if we spank our children,
we love them, but if we do not spank them, we do not love them."   Again,
everyone continued to stare at me as if they could not believe I dared to
say this in public.  I grew stronger. One of the two young mothers began to
glare at me with such hatred I could almost feel it.  The other young
mother very firmly swatted her child on the leg and he became quiet
instantly.  I began to thank God.  A third time I spoke, "Young mothers, do
not let this society smother you into not spanking your children.  God has
ordained it."  Almost as if my loving Lord was giving me a last bit of
encouragement, one of the other mothers in the room gave me an extremely
appreciative look.  I wondered if she wished she had done the speaking.


My loop friends, Take Heart.  Greater is He that is in you than he that is
in the world.


Be strong.  Take courage.  Do not fear or be dismayed.  SPEAK UP!


God is waiting for us to present ourselves on a living sacrifice.  May this
be a blessing to someone today.
     Laura (Arkansas)


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