When my daughter was 2 she was a demanding child. Her bark was bigger than her chubby little 25 pounds. Barney was her show of choice and her perspective of choice was that if she wanted to watch Barney, then she should get to watch it NOW.
One afternoon while at my parents house, my dad was watching a show. Little Laura entered the room, pointed to the TV and said, “Grandpa,…Barney…NOW!” She added a stomp of her foot for emphasis.
It was hard not to laugh, it caught us all by surprise. Who did she think she was? The center of the universe? The main attraction? Apparently, yes and yes. Proper discipline showed her otherwise and brought some submission and respect for authority to her heart.
As I look back on this memory, I can’t help but notice the parallel between that little heart years ago and mine. I enter the presence of my Heavenly Father, point to my life and lay out my demands. I even add a little foot stomp sometimes. Who do I think I am?
We live in a society that encourages freedom of speech, speaking your mind, being yourself. Ecclesiastes 5:1 however, calls me to approach Him differently. With respect, reverence and awe. God tells us in regard to approaching Him to guard our steps, go before Him to listen, which is quite the opposite of my game plan. He tells us don’t be quick with our mouth and to let our words be few. And stand in awe of Him.
Stand, as in not stomping our feet…as in stillness. Awe as in awe struck by His majesty, His glory, His holiness, His goodness and the fact that He allows the likes of me to even be in His presence. Wow. That brings a change of perspective. A respect. Gratitude. He is God and I am humbled as I look at Him.
It’s hard to get me to be quiet (Just ask my mom, she used to offer me a quarter if I would just stop talking for 5 minutes!) And as long as I insist on keeping the attitude of a 2 year old, I will feel God is unfair and felt the need to demand my own way.
But, when I quiet my mouth, let my words be few and stand in awe of the One who saves, my soul is satisfied as well and my demands lose their urgency and fade. It can feel scary to let my demands go. Somehow they feel like the answer to my needs but the Creator knows what I need and promises to provide. So I can let go and stand in awe and receive a new look on life, one focused on the Father. Awestruck.
One afternoon while at my parents house, my dad was watching a show. Little Laura entered the room, pointed to the TV and said, “Grandpa,…Barney…NOW!” She added a stomp of her foot for emphasis.
It was hard not to laugh, it caught us all by surprise. Who did she think she was? The center of the universe? The main attraction? Apparently, yes and yes. Proper discipline showed her otherwise and brought some submission and respect for authority to her heart.
As I look back on this memory, I can’t help but notice the parallel between that little heart years ago and mine. I enter the presence of my Heavenly Father, point to my life and lay out my demands. I even add a little foot stomp sometimes. Who do I think I am?
We live in a society that encourages freedom of speech, speaking your mind, being yourself. Ecclesiastes 5:1 however, calls me to approach Him differently. With respect, reverence and awe. God tells us in regard to approaching Him to guard our steps, go before Him to listen, which is quite the opposite of my game plan. He tells us don’t be quick with our mouth and to let our words be few. And stand in awe of Him.
Stand, as in not stomping our feet…as in stillness. Awe as in awe struck by His majesty, His glory, His holiness, His goodness and the fact that He allows the likes of me to even be in His presence. Wow. That brings a change of perspective. A respect. Gratitude. He is God and I am humbled as I look at Him.
It’s hard to get me to be quiet (Just ask my mom, she used to offer me a quarter if I would just stop talking for 5 minutes!) And as long as I insist on keeping the attitude of a 2 year old, I will feel God is unfair and felt the need to demand my own way.
But, when I quiet my mouth, let my words be few and stand in awe of the One who saves, my soul is satisfied as well and my demands lose their urgency and fade. It can feel scary to let my demands go. Somehow they feel like the answer to my needs but the Creator knows what I need and promises to provide. So I can let go and stand in awe and receive a new look on life, one focused on the Father. Awestruck.
Found your blog on Leading & Loving It...love it! What good thoughts and wise words for living. Thanks for sharing! Praying for you this Easter!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by with the kind words! And by the way... I love your name...."not so perfect pw"... I can totally relate!
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