I've been having some struggles with Oregano being disobedient lately and I ran across this wonderful little tidbit from one of the Duggar's books, I believe it was The Duggars: 20 And Counting. I've read two of their books, both really, really inspiring and helpful. (Remember, the picture up there?) I thought, YES! I am going to teach Oregano a lesson on obedience today based on this wonderful breakdown of what it really means to be obedient.
1. Instant, without hesitation.
2. Cheerful, without attitude
3. Thorough, complete the job.
4. Unconditional, no objections.
Oh, what a joyful day it was. I was sinnnnnging, I was soooo joyful! I've hit the jackpot of all obedience lessons to teach. What a wonderful day it was! And you know what? The lesson was wonderful, Oregano was able to really grasp what this obedience thing is really all about. It has truly helped me with Oregano a lot. What I didn't expect was how it would challenge me. Yep. Me.
It wasn't but a few days after I taught this lesson to Oregano, that the Lord confronted ME with it. Our wonderful church, West Point Church, asked us to give out invitations to our Christmas Eve service. I had planned on giving it to family and friends. I'm not so good at handing out things and talking to complete strangers. Well, wouldn't you know it I had one in my back pocket on my way into an orthodontist appointment, yes, I have braces. As I was getting out of my truck the Lord spoke to me and asked me to hand one to a lady who was parked next to me. I hesitated for a quick second and the Lord said, "Obey me, instantly." Whoa! Wow! "Yes Lord!", and I did. It was a real big check for me. If I want my child to obey me, to ultimately obey God I have got to follow through with complete obedience myself. I have got to obey: instantly, cheerfully, thoroughly, and unconditionally. I learned big time that day. Something that I find myself learning over and over again. Being a parent is more about me becoming who I want my children to be more than anything else: I cannot expect them to be something I am not. I should be the first to do the changing, rearranging, and, in this case, obeying.
So, what lesson have you taught your child that has backfired on you? I'd love to hear your stories!
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way they should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it." I think, in this case, I am the child and God is training me!
In Him,
CH
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