It is not a rarity in my day that Gabriel will run in to tell me something one of his sisters has done. A few days ago, as I was washing and folding clothes in the laundry room, in darts this energetic little boy from the garage with only his shorts on with vivid eagerness clothing his face. “Mommy, Anais needs a spanking!” in great excitement he announces.

“Oh, really! Remember, Mommy and Daddy decide the punishments, don’t we?” I respond.

“Lek.” (meaning yes)

“What did Anais do to deserve a spanking anyway?” I asked

“I forgot, but it was really, really bad,” he answered enthusiastically.

“So was it . . . ,” I began to prompt.

“Oh, I remember. It was me. I did it. I need the spanking,” he remembered. Laughter was brimming over inside me, yet I had to keep it in.

“And what did you do darling?” I questioned.

Squinting his face and tilting his head, “Well, I spit on Anais and punched her,” he stated.

“Oh, that was not very nice, was it darling? What do you think I should do?” I asked.

“You should spank me,” he said matter of factly.

Just then Anais and Hannah scurried into the room. “Mommy, Gabriel spit on me!” Anais accused.

“I know darling, Gabriel told me.” I responded

“But Mommy he hit me too,” Anais added.

“Yes, he told me that too,” I reassured her.

A little dumb founded she stumbles, “heee did?”

“Yes darling he did. He also said he needed a spanking so if you’ll excuse me,” I answered.

Gabriel set the punishment, so I honored his request. Two light spankings were given followed by a cuddle and prayer to keep with my routine. With tears welling in my eyes and joy welling in my heart, I prayed for this precious boy God has given to me, “Dear Father, Thank you that Gabriel told me the truth and even realized that he deserved a punishment for treating Anais in a wrong way. Please teach Gabriel how much You love him and then I pray that Your love would set him free to love others deeply. Thank you for this sweet little boy; I love him so much. In Jesus name.”

“I love you Mommy. You’re my best mommy in the whole world,” Gabriel joyously announced.

“I love you too darling! You are precious to Mommy,” I shared. “Is there something you would like to do?”

“Lek. Tell Anais sorry,” He said and ran out of the bathroom to Anais.

When I came out of the bathroom Anais questioned me again in astonishment that Gabriel had confessed all by himself. “I am sorry he spit on you and hit you. That was not nice of him,” I shared with her as I held her close.

This brought back a memory I had of Talitha about 14 years ago. I cannot remember all the details, but she had done something wrong and when I asked her what I should do, she said quite remorsefully, “Mommy I did wrong. I need a spanking.” She did this many times and each time I was humbled by her repentant heart and sincerity. I have never had any of our children do this until this moment with Gabriel. God was encouraging me that He was at work in my little boy. It is God that teaches us that we are a sinner and we deserve to be punished, yet Jesus took that punishment for us and gives forgiveness to us as a gift if we will only accept it. I earnestly pray Gabriel and little Josiah will accept Jesus as their Savior, trusting in Him alone to free them from sin, Satan, and death and freeing them to live a life for God’s glory.