What we learn from our children

For the last few days I have been amazed by all of the change that has surrounded us on a daily basis. Teenagers I remember being born are graduating high school (this should not be allowed because that means I am older than I want to admit), close friends are having more babies (before you ask when we are having another one, we don't know), Other friends are moving into new homes, Kyndal has new furniture and she is in her first "Big girl bed", and there are other changes I am not ready to discuss yet (more to come later). So, all of this has me thinking are we changing just for the sake of change or are we growing as well? As Kyndal grows and changes, I begin to understand that she will always be my daughter and I will be her father, but she will not always be my little girl. Someday, she will be able to take care of herself and make her own decisions, even if I don't agree with them. The more I have thought about that today, the more I realize it is the same with our relationship with God.



John 1:12-13 says



12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent,[a] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.



There are three specific times of day I really look forward to



1. When Kyndal wakes up in the morning -- usually she runs into our bedroom already carrying on a conversation before we realize what she is talking about. I will ask her for a kiss and a hug, sometimes she willing gives them, other times she refuses



2. When I get home each day -- as I walk through the garage and into the house I am already anticipating how Kyndal and Kristin will react. Will they be excited to see me, be unaware that I am home or be ready to discuss what ever event was the focus of the day? Again, I ask for a kiss and a hug, with usually the same results, willingness or refusal.



3. When we put Kyndal to bed -- admittedly, some of this excitement is anticipation of quiet time or me time after Kyndal is asleep, but again, I ask for a kiss and hug and wait for the response The difference this time occasionally is that she wants to fight us putting her to bed, because she does not want to go. However we know what is best for her.



If you have read this far, thanks for sticking with me.... here is my point.



Our interactions with God are often the same way.



Throughout the day, God would love for us to stop and acknowledge him but more often we refuse than willingly focus on him. We proceed from day to day in the same manner, then some change comes about and we don't understand why, or where it came from. If you are anything like me, change is almost always viewed as a bad thing first. Only after I stop and acknowledge God, can I see that there may be a bigger purpose. See no matter how smart, strong, organized, or confident we think we are, we are still just the child. God is the Father and even when we don't want to do something, he knows what is best. So, is there something God has been trying to tell you, that you keep resisting?