This passage reminds us that Godly parenting is a long term commitment to steady, regular involvement in our children’s lives. At times, this responsibility seems daunting and impossible. If that is how you feel today, I want to remind you that this long term commitment is the exact commitment that God has made to you. He has committed to steady, regular involvement in your life, dispensing the rod and reproof as necessary to produce in you what you could never produce without Him. If you are His child, the one thing He will not do is leave you to yourself. You have His promise of grace to help today. This passage also reminds us that faithful parenting requires wisdom in discerning how to give wisdom. At times, the rod is required; at others, reproof is appropriate. We depend on God for this wisdom; therefore, prayer will be a constant endeavor for the faithful parent. What is never appropriate, however, is giving up, ignoring the responsibility, and leaving the child to himself.