O the things that babies teach us.

I tell my little boy, if he does that again I will spank his hand. ( just a little swat) If he hits with the toy, I will take it away. He tests me, my boundaries and what I tell him. The toy goes away, he is lightly swatted on his hand.
 Then a full on remorse on his part sets in. He is wailing, sorry and wanting mommy to hold him, and love him. To make sure I still love him when he does wrong. I don't immediately pick him up, because I don't want to reward behavior he is being punished for. He climbs into my lap, even though I don't reassure him right away. I hold him. I tell him I love him, that he is forgiven, I hug and cuddle him.

 God says to me, this is a picture of a contrite heart. When you are so sorry, when you just want to be near me and show me you did wrong. When you know I will forgive you, when you are torn apart from the idea of being away from me.
"and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Psalm 51:17 

This is your picture from the mouth and heart of babes.

If you love me, you will be broken when you are away from me, if you love me, you will know that I correct you in love. 

con·trite

kənˈtrīt,ˈkäntrīt/

adjective

1. feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt

   
   

   There is no doubt in my mind, I should have punished my child for disobeying. There was no doubt in my mind I should reassure him of my love for him. Yet I often question God's motives and love for me, when I am in distress I run from him instead of climbing into his arms.

   
   

   O HOW HE LOVES US, HOW HE LOVES US, O.