12 Sep God’s ways and not my own
Am I going to follow my ways? Or am I going to follow the ways of another?
3 year old struggles
Our amazing 3 year old is currently in a challenging season (for him and us). He wants his way. A lot. Whether it relates to what he wants to eat, which child’s turn it is to open the door (yes really), and anything can suddenly crop up as a battle of the wills.
And these battles pop up, frequently most days, at a sometimes exhausting pace. He is willing to lose almost anything to dig in his heels and do something his way. And his mommy and daddy are determined to show him how to obey mommy and daddy when asked to do so.
I am encouraged at the spunk God gave this little guy and am sobered our role as parents is to tame his will while growing a little boy with fiery determination. I desire he use his determination to do great things.
I also want to teach him to obey mommy and daddy so he can ultimately know how to obey God. In his obedience he will find freedom from actions and relationship
choices that hurt him.
To see this struggle play out in front of me is a living example I don’t want to miss. If my husband and I, both imperfect people, want the best for our boy I can only begin to imagine the good God has for me as I learn to obey His ways.
We recognize the best for our little guy is limiting his desire for exactly what he wants all the time. We want him to be happy and to play, of course! I find such delight in his smile and happiness. But we also want him to eat healthy, get enough sleep, learn how to share, have good manners, give, care of the feelings of others, obey, and much more.
To achieve these, at least in part, is teaching him situation by situation to listen to the voice of his parents. For him to be willing to do what mommy and daddy say
over what he wants to do. (by publication the season has improved and he is a happier and more obedient guy:)
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It is for my freedom and joy
Do you see where this is going? I find it exciting. God’s commands are in place for our freedom and to give us life. I will find ultimate joy and peace when I let go of my ways and embrace His. Some of that life and joy will be experienced in this life and some will be experienced in eternity with Jesus Christ.
When I curb those words that can so easily come out of my mouth when I am mad, I can build my husband, build my marriage, show my children how to treat others, and grow love and intimacy in my marriage instead of causing further break down.
When I treat my body as the temple God made, I have more energy, more peace, and am doing my part to be strong so that I can take care of my disabled son Lord willing into my old age.
When I give my children my time I am forming strong relational attachment and meeting physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
When I spend time praying and reading the Word God strengthens my inner man, prepares me for the challenges I face in life, makes me more like Him, and I get divine relationship Him for which we were made.
When I bring my pain and brokenness over heartache from life’s trials to God and lay bare before Him (which can feel so vulnerable and raw) he can heal my
wounds with His comfort, grace, love, and presence and gives me grace to walk through what is necessary.
I could go on but I want to switch gears. You know how I said this excites me? It really does. Because I have seen how God’s ways bring life to my heart and to relationships. In some ways it is simple. But it isn’t easy. Not at all.
To choose God’s ways requires the death of my flesh. Choosing the opposite of what I feel at times which is incredibly painful. Sometimes I have victory and sometimes I fail. But it is so worth it!!! Abundant life can be experienced when we embrace the ways of Jesus.
Long suffering in relationship may mean we can get through to the other side of the hard and experience deep connection.
Love means that I can act the way I want to be as a person regardless of what the other person does.
Obedience can be walking out the needed tasks and commitments on a daily basis whether I will see the fruit of what I do in 5 minutes, 5 years, or in eternity.
Eternal Fruit
By sacrificing His Son Father God made a way for his children (us) to be with Him again.
By dying on the cross Jesus won an eternal Bride, paying the price so we can be made clean if we say yes.
By our decisions, moment by moment, we can choose our ways or ways that impact eternity.
Disclaimer: If you have unhealthy or abusive relationships in your life please get the help you need from someone such as a counselor to help you decide what are the healthiest/safest ways to move forward. And on that note counseling can also help anyone learn how to navigate struggles in life and be a healthy person which God desires!
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