Sometimes I look at my children and think, “If you knew what I know, you’d quit asking for what you’re asking for!” You know what I mean. They cry when you forbid them to stick sharp metal objects in the electrical outlets. They beg to play with the neighbor kids that you just don’t feel comfortable with. They get upset when you insist that supper consist of more than M&M’s. And the list goes on and on…
As a parent there are somethings my children want that I know if they get, they’ll regret.
I was reading in Psalms this morning (81:11-16) and I saw the heart of God the Father. It looks quite like that of a normal father. Check this out:
My people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. 13 “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! 15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. 16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.
As I read this it occurs to me that very possibly the worst thing for me is the thing I want the worst!
God is virtually saying, to those who refuse listen to Him, He will let them stick their finger in the socket, or play with those unsavory neighbors, or eat as many M&M’s as they want! The consequential shock, harm, and/or obesity is the natural result of our unwise desires… desires which were fueled by shortsighted, self-serving inexperience and which could have been avoided if we would have listened to our Father!
As I read these words I prayed, “Oh God! Don’t let me have my way! Please let me know Your way, and then give me the chutzpah to live it out!” The crazy thing here is that the way of the father is typically, in the case of humans, and always, in the case of our Heavenly Father, the best way!
Those who do “the way” of their Heavenly Father find satisfaction. Lord, help me to do life your way!
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Man. Wish I would have read this before eating an extra piece of pizza that I really didn’t need. Crap.
When we lived on Pleasant Street in Leroy (which we affectionately called not-so-pleasant) there were quite a few unsavory neighbors on our block. This was a place where the command to love your neighbor as yourself was a daily challenge. I don’t blame you for being cautious with your little girls. Sometimes my boys would be invited to play at a home I was leary of. I would usually tell the children I needed to meet their parents first. Often the invitation stopped with that. I pray that during the 7 years we lived there we were hospitable enough towards our neighbors to show Jesus’ love but discerning enough to keep our children safe. I will say a prayer for the Romeos.