Why is obedience so hard??? (a guest post by @jcabiness)

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A couple of weeks ago, I was completely exasperated with my 4 year-old’s strong-willed determination to do the exact opposite of what I was telling him. I don’t even remember what it was about; I think he was refusing to pick up toys or he hit his younger sister with a Hot Wheel or something.

I was frustrated & at my wits end of this ongoing (yet normal) behavior, and was saying a lot of things out loud that I’m sure didn’t phase him a bit, but Mom needs to vent once in a while.
  • “Why can’t you just do what I tell you?”
  • “Do you realize life would be a lot easier if you just followed the rules & accept that I might know what’s best for you?”
  • “Why do you insist on doing the same things over & over again?”
  • “Why do you insist on doing things your own way, instead of listening to what I’m trying to teach you?”
  • “Why doesn’t Godiva make a 3-pound dark chocolate truffle?”

Okay, so I just threw in that last one for my own sanity.

Then it suddenly dawned on me. A revelation…epiphany…moment of clarity…whatever you want to call it.

***Maybe THIS is how God feels towards me when I’m straying from His plan, trying to do things my way because I think I know better, and just not learning from my mistakes the first time.*** 

Or, in some cases, the first two or three times.

Needless to say, I kind of felt like a chastised 4 year-old at that moment.
But, the coin is two-sided. I also tell my kids often that while I may be disappointed or not agree, I will ALWAYS love them, no matter what choices they make, what they might say or do, or where they go in life. With God, this is also true, only His love for us is even greater than the love we have for our own children. Infinitely greater. There is so much comfort in knowing that whatever I say or do, making bad choices or having negative actions, even though I will have consequences, there is no sin too great to forfeit His love, mercy & grace. For that I may not be worthy, but I’m thankful.

And seriously…Godiva really needs to get on that truffle idea.

**Thanks, Jessica, for your insight!  Everyone be sure to check out Kiss My Wits, a facebook page that Jessica maintains. – Matt**

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Matt Todd

Howdy. I'm Matt. My wife, Christy, and I have four kids and two dogs, I'm passionate about orphan care. I'm a die-hard fan of the Evansville Aces, the Indiana Hoosiers, and Star Wars. I'm trying to live life by the Todd family motto: "It behooves us to live!"
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