A Slice of Life

Last week I took my son to the dentist for the first time. I was super nervous because he HATES to brush his teeth! All day long I was dreading the appointment and anticipating the worst. Of course he acted like a pro and even let them floss his teeth! I am assuming part of his willingness to cooperate had to do with the fact that the dentist had a balloon waiting for him and he absolutely loves balloons. As she handed over the balloon for his good behavior, she offered to tie it around his wrist, but he declined and promised to hold on to it. We made it to the car safely with the balloon still in his tiny hand. When we got home he wanted to go outside and play and take his balloon. I suggested again that we tie the balloon around his wrist so it would not fly away, but he insisted that he would "hold on tight". I am sure you can see where this story climaxes...... Of course, just minutes after being outside with this coveted blue balloon it flew away into the air. As my three year old watched, he seemed mesmerized at first and then looked at me and said, "Get it mommy". I explained to him that I was not able to get the balloon as it was now high above the trees. This is when the tears started (and lasted for over an hour, by the way). It was awful to watch, as my son doesn't usually react this way. I wanted to just run to the store and get him another balloon, but I knew I could not. Consequences are a hard thing to learn, but it is a part of life. I tried my best to explain the importance of listening and obeying, but he was so distraught I am not sure how much he heard.

I recently shared this story with my high school students and they could not believe that I did not run out and get my poor, sweet boy a brand new balloon. I am not heartless. Believe me, getting him a new balloon would have been the easiest solution. But it would have been a temporary solution. And more than listening and hearing my voice, I want my little boy to hear and respond to the voice of God.

Often times in our adult lives, God is speaking to us or directing us and we are ignoring His voice because we think we know best and we forget that even though God is gracious, there are consequences to our actions and the only way to avoid those consequences is to be obedient to what the Lord is telling us. In my own life, many times I have been just like my little boy saying to God, "help me" after dismissing His repeated warnings. As a parent, this was one of the hardest lessons I have tried to teach, so far. And while I didn't rescue him from the heartache he was experiencing, I sat and held him as he cried. I tried my best to comfort him and I longed to make him stop hurting. My human love is nothing compared to God's (agape) love. His love is infinite and able to cover a multitude sins. Lesson learned: When I mess up, run to God. He is there waiting with open arms hurting with me and loving me unconditionally.