What is Discipline?

When I was twelve years old Mama bought a book of poetry by Amy Carmichael called Mountain Breezes. While reading through the collection she found and loved one called, What is discipline? Soon, we had all memorized it as a family. I cannot tell you how many times I have found myself quoting a line or phrase of this wonderful poem. At night I enjoy quoting it to myself that I might not forget it. It has, in a way, become a family reminder of our duty to God, home and each other.

This is one of my favorite verses and it happens to go right along with the poem.
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Hebrew 12:11

WHAT IS DISCIPLINE?

"When I refuse the easy thing for love of my dear LORD,
and when I choose the harder thing for love of my dear LORD,
and do not make a fuss or speak a single grumbling word;
That is discipline.

When everything seems going wrong and yet I will not grouse,
When it is hot, and I am tired, and yet I will not grouse,
But sing a song and do my work in school and in the house;
That is discipline.

When Satan whispers, "Scamp your work"-to say to him, "I won't,"
When Satan whispers, "Slack a bit"-to say to him, "I won't,"
To rule myself and not to wait for others' "Do" and "Don't";
That is discipline.

When I look up and triumph over every sinful thing,
The things that no one knows about-the cowardly, selfish thing-
and when with heart and will I live to please my glorious King;
That is discipline.

To trample on that curious thing inside me that says "I,"
To think of others always-never,never or that "I,"
To learn to live according to my Savior's word, "Deny";
That is discipline."

~Amy Carmichael