Recently our 17 month old learned how to say NO!  She had been very good at saying YEAH enthusiastically for months now, which has made her an incredibly agreeable person to be around.  However, along with NO comes a whole new battle of willpower.  Don’t get me wrong, NO has plenty of valuable assets in conversation with a child who only knows about a dozen words, but definitely knows what she wants.  For instance, this evening, my wife asked her if she would like a carrot.  She emphatically replied with a strong NO, thus exerting her opinions and desires about said carrot.  This can be very helpful in distinguishing what one wants in life.  The YEAH’s and NO’s of daily conversation have helped us to understand what our daughter needs and wants more readily.

However, as true as the above is, when both the YEAH’s and NO’s make themselves apparent in regards to a singular topic or event, one can only conclude that she has no concept of logic as of yet, but definitely wants to assert her own will.  Case in point:

Shar:      “Alana, do you want to go swimming in your pool?”

Alana:   “YEAH!!!!”

Shar:      “Okay, let’s put your bathing suit on.”

Alana:   “No.”

Shar:      “I thought you wanted to go swimming.”

Alana:   “YEAH!!!!”

Shar:      “Then you need to put your swimsuit on!”

Alana:   “No.”

This conversation could have continued into eternity had Shar not forgone patiently reasoning with the unreasonable, and enforced parental will upon our daughter.  Needless to say, Alana had a great afternoon swimming in her pool … with her bathing suit on.  Shockingly, this same conversation has replayed itself out more than once this past week.

As futile as the above conversation may seem, these are the types of situations that God uses to reveal an “Aha” moment.  My wife was struck by the realization how our infinitely patient Father in Heaven must think that we all act like a bunch of irrational 17 month olds.  Proverbs 3:1 says, “My child, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in mind.  Then you will live a long time, and your life will be successful.” (NCV)  The bible is full of these assurances that if “a” is done then “b” will result.

“If you want to go swimming, then you put on a bathing suit.”

“If you want to have a successful life, then follow God’s commands.”

Sounds easy, doesn’t it?  Then why is it that we have such difficulty following such simple logic?  Why is it we always seem to falter somewhere along the line?  Why is it that following God’s simple commands to love, trust, honour  and obey turns into us trying to assert our own will over our lives?  Clearly He knows best, He did create us after all, and He created us to love Him with all of our heart, soul and mind.  It’s during these sorts of moments that I begin to realize how close to infancy I am in my faith, how much more like a 17 month old I am then like a 28 year old.  It surely is a marvelous thing that God’s ways are not my ways.  May we praise Him together for his incredible patience in withholding His judgement just so that He could provide the only way to reconciliation.  Thank you father for loving us as your own and gently showing us the truth of your will, your promises, your glory … the proper way to go swimming.

Sincerely

Stephen and Sharilyn De Bliek.

Question: In what ways do you assert your own will over your life?  Leave your comments below.