Ah, the day in the life of parents… and children. As a father of ten, I understand the times of joy, fun, disappointment and struggles of rearing children. However, I confess that there are times that even when children have done bad things that there is somewhat of a comedy in some of those dreaded events that require parental discipline. This video is one such incident.

Two boys are videoed by their father in the bathtub with their faces covered in brown and green paint (must be military boys… either that or good old southern boys). So the father decides to confront them warning them that they are in “big trouble.”

“Whose idea was this?” the father asked. Blank stares and a shrug is all that is offered in response.

The father then asked, “Did you think this was a good idea?”

Though both boys’ heads shook negatively, obviously they thought it was a good idea… at the time.

The Dad then told the older brother to look at his younger brother’s face, then asked, “Who got the paint out?”

The older brother, obviously not wanting to bear the brunt of things points at his younger brother while the younger brother shake his head no.

So, when Dad asks how the younger brother got the paint, he was informed by the older boy that he built stairs to reach it.

Dad obviously has some experience in correction by asking questions to get the older boy to think through his actions. “How come you didn’t tell him ‘No,” that it wasn’t a good idea?”

In the infamous response of young children, the boy says, “I don’t know.”

“Are you guys in trouble?” the father asks.

“Yes, Daddy,” the older boy answers.

When Dad asks, “What should we do?” the boys, in unison, declare, “I don’t know.”

Of course, they know, they just don’t want to 1) admit they are wrong, and 2) what the discipline should be. After all, they are fallen sinners just like the rest of us.

As if their faces weren’t enough, we find out, according to the father, that they “got paint everywhere downstairs.”

“Do you think you guys should have time outs?” Dad asks. “Do you think I should not give you guys any more juice?”

The response of the boys is wide-eyes head shaking “No.”

Then they look at each other for affirmation that they are on the same page as Dad can be heard trying not to break out in laughter.

“What is funny?” asks the older brother.

More laughs follow as Dad tries to keep it together as the seemingly innocent ways the boys continue to respond.

“This isn’t funny,” Dad says. “I don’t think this is funny at all. You guys are in big trouble.”

OK, it was a little funny, right? What took place wasn’t funny. I get that, but clearly Dad is able to have a sense of humor at how his offspring are conducting themselves. I’ve had many of those experiences and though the response may be funny, the actions definitely weren’t.

However, let us keep in mind that our heavenly Father disciplines us too and it is no laughing matter, but does demonstrate His love for us. As the Scriptures declare:

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. –Revelation 3:19

Also, our children are a heritage from the Lord. They are a blessing from Him to be used as mighty arrows to advance His kingdom in the world. A passage we have read immediately after the birth of every one of our children comes from Psalm 127 (and 128).

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Surely, the boys needed a little more than “time out” or “not getting juice,” but Dad was at least confronting the issue and that is a good thing… and I must admit a quite humerous one too.