Looking back on the lessons learned, I understand that a lot of my discomfort could have been avoided if had I taken my father's advice and had listened to his instructions. Why didn't I? The Bible is correct when it says that children must be disciplined. We are not born little angels, but are born in sin. If we are left alone the mold will be set in an unperfected way. I know for sure that if my father did not train me in a forceful way, I would not the person that I am today. I was very strong-willed boy and I could have grown up to be a criminal or worse. The same goes for my children though they would not admit it. My children say that I was a mean father and that I should have disciplined them in a different way.
Well, I can't say that training a child with only love and not discipline would have worked for me. I believe that if my father had communicated more and had a little more patience, he would have been more effective. The same goes for me concerning my children, however, there were other factors involved. The pressure of life, especially if you have your own business, is a factor. Perhaps my lack of maturity and experience were factors. My own upbringing had an effect on my actions as a parent. Hindsight is always perfect.
But how did the end product turn out? Is the question?
Some of us would like to blame a parent for all the problems we have in life. But we learn better and faster through adversity. Of course we would not like to admit that fact. We would sooner claim that we have learned from our own mistakes and not the ones our fathers may have made in our upbringing, just as we would like to blame God for the way He disciplines us. It is true that God has disciplined me much more than my father ever did.
May be because He loves me more.
If we are sensible and have humility to accept and appreciate the tough lessons of life, then maybe we can love and accept God. Most fathers discipline and train their children because they love them. This is just the same as God. Those who do not listen to him end up in Hell. Those who do not listen to their fathers end up as disadvantaged adults. How foolish it is to shake your little fist at God, when He says in Revelation 3:17: You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked."