By Brenda Cannon Henley
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, for those who have been trained by it, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.” (Hebrews 12:11 – International Standard Version). I have been learning lately to hold on tightly to the truth of “Later on…however,” found in the very interesting book of Hebrews. Chapter 12, Verse 11 has several connotations and I have spent quite some time looking at various renderings of its meaning. The word “discipline” is used to describe many different things for the Christian man or woman. It often refers to “training” or “teaching” or “learning.”

As parents when we discipline our children, it is out of love for them and to help in the formation of their character as they grow into adults. No parent that I know likes to discipline, but it must be done to help the child mature into a giving, helpful, loving adult that will contribute to society. The old adage, “this hurts me more than it does you,” is true although the child or teen seldom believes it at the time. But, later on…however, he or she will hopefully see that it was good for them and good for those they love.

My mother had a special little addition to this truth. She made each of her children go outside and break the switch from the tree with which we would be disciplined. Now, I know that is a long time ago, and that switching is frowned upon today, but I have never forgotten the truths we learned the hard way. It wasn’t fun then, but it made us better people and we were never seriously hurt or abused in the process. Society has changed the rules and many do not discipline in any way today. I fear what later on will be like for many young adults.

God is the same way with His children. He has to discipline or teach us as we go on our merry way. I have found that even when we read His Word, study His principles, and try to live well for Him, we get into ruts and we fail to honor His teaching in our lives. I personally have allowed myself to forget His precious promises and to sink in despair that my life will never be the same again. I have momentarily forgotten the “Later on…however” that I know to be so true.

God knew that my dear husband would die, after suffering from cancer and its decimation to the body, and that I would be lost, alone, undone, and frightened, but He made provision for that. It is up to me to find that truth and to hold onto it tightly. I have been forgetting that “Later on…however,” help will come and I will smile again.

I think the holiday season, his favorite of the year, came to me in a time when I was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. I was in somewhat of a fog or blind and just went through the events in a sleepy haze without feeling. This year, I am awake and fully conscious that Ted is not here to decorate, plan, shop, cook, and be excited with the season’s gifts. And, it hurts.

I vow to wait for the “Later on…however” that is surely to come to me and to my friends that are finding this truth in their own lives.
[11-30-2015]

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, at
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