Welcome to Our Daily Bread. I'm Sheridan Voizzi, and I've titled our reading today,

Correction with a Kiss.

In his parable, The Wise Woman, George MacDonald tells a story of two girls whose selfishness

brings misery to all, including themselves, until

a wise woman puts them through a series of tests to help them become lovely again.

After the girls fail each test and suffer shame in isolation, one of them, Rosamond,

finally realizes she can't change herself.

Couldn't you help me? She asks the wise woman.

Perhaps I could, the woman replied.

Now that you ask me.

And with the divine help symbolized by the wise woman, Rosamon begins to change.

She then asks if the woman would forgive all the trouble she's caused.

If I had not forgiven you, the woman says,

I would never have taken the trouble to punish you.

There are times when God disciplines us.

It's important to understand why.

His correction isn't driven by retribution,

but by a fatherly concern for our welfare.

He also desires that we may share in His Holiness, enjoying a harvest of righteousness and peace.

Selfishness brings misery, but holiness makes us whole, joyful, and lovely like him.

Rosamond asks the wise woman how she can love a selfish girl like her.

Stooping to kiss her, the woman replies, I saw what you were going to be. God's correction

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