It seems like all the lessons I've learned about God from my kids has come from what they do that drives me crazy. They drive me crazier and crazier until I finally look at it and say, "Wow, God! Is that what I do to you?" It gets a bit disheartening to think that I act like a five year old towards God.
I was thinking about that today when God opened my eyes to help me see that I don't only learn about what I'm doing wrong through my kids. He has also shown me what I've done right.
At least twice in the past week, complete strangers have approached Keith and told him how well behaved our kids were. I'm not talking about him passing someone in line, the kids saying, "Excuse me," and the stranger saying, "Oh, how polite they are!" I mean Keith has been in a business establishment for an hour or more and a worker at the place has sought him out to say, "I just want you to know I have seen a lot of kids in here today and your children are by far the most well-behaved."
Wow! Keith and I talked about this and came to the same conclusion: The other person must have really meant it. How many times have you been in a restaurant and saw a kid acting out and thought to yourself, "If that were my kid...!?" I have never thought, "Wow! That kid is very polite. I should tell his mother." We notice the bad, but seldom the good. Even when we notice, rarely do we say anything. But two people, within days of each other, took the time to point out what good people our kids are.
This Momma is proud! Of them, not of what I've done, but really truly of them. When I taught them their manners, they learned. When I taught them why we show respect to others and think of others first, they learned. When I taught them why when Mom says "no" it means "no", they learned. But not only did they learn it and make it head knowledge, they made it a part of who they are. They could have learned it, made it head knowledge, then knowingly decided to defy what they know is right. (See any analogies here for Christians???) That's why I'm proud.
Here's a perfect example from a few weeks ago. I'm in charge of the prayer chain at our church. When I get an e-mail with a request I stop right then and pray. Well, I had my laptop out at the kitchen table. Jaedon was sitting beside me playing with his legos. I read my e-mail, closed my eyes, and prayed silently. When I looked up, Jaedon was beside me with his head bowed. He looked up and asked, "Mom, what did we just pray for?" I never taught him that! But he has seen me pray often enough that he knows what it is and who I'm talking to. He chose, for himself, to stop and join me - even though he knew no specifics. Wow! To me that is a Godly man in the making!
So, what does all this teach me about my relationship with God? That He is a proud parent too! God gave me this visual image (I love it when he does this) of God on his throne with Jesus by his side. The devil is pacing back and forth before him. Hatred spews from his mouth. "But Lord," he hisses, "Didn't you see her sin yesterday? It was right before your eyes!"
Jesus answers, "My sister has asked me for forgiveness. I have washed her clean."
The devils face flushes with anger as he continues to pace.
Then angels chime in (I'm not sure why I have angels in my mind - maybe to represent the strangers): "Oh Lord, your daughter has done so much for you. I saw her working for the kingdom and it was amazing! She has such love for your people. You must be so proud."
To which God answers with a smile, "Yes. Yes I am!"
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