As adults, our sense of reason has matured enough, that we can have grown-up conversations to work things out, understand concepts and come to agreements. (or at least most adults do) *smiles*
Kids, especially young kids, do not have this capacity just yet.
As an example, my son Ryan was trying to reprimand my 7 month old baby, Sarah the other day. He said, "Sarah, don't touch me, you just ate and your hands are dirty!" Of course Sarah giggled and cooed, because he was talking to her. He got mad, and said, "Sarah, It's not funny!" As I explained to him that she didn't understand what he was saying, he couldn't grasp the concept. He had it firmly planted in his mind that she was making fun of him. One night not to long after that, as I gave Ryan and Sarah a bath before bed, Sarah splashed and giggled dramatically in her little bath chair. Ryan, on the other side of the tub became extremely irritated, as he repeated "that's enough, that's enough, I said, THAT'S ENOUGH!" He was even angrier when she squealed and gave him her little 2 toothed grin while splashing him again.
Kids just don't see things quite as we do, as adults.
I've already explained that my son Ryan, can be quite dramatic. Once he gets his mind set on something, good luck! He gets himself so caught up in how he's feeling, and what he wants, that there's absolutely no reasoning with him. I can't distract him, I can't change the subject, he's just set on it until he decides it's time to move on. So we as parents, have had to learn to stand our ground, and let him realize he's not the adult in charge.
Don't get me wrong, he's a great kid, just very strong willed. Mommy and Daddy are definitely relying on God for direction and patience in guiding his strength in the correct way.
One day Ryan had gotten himself so worked up about something, and he had been in his room "working on his attitude" for quite some time. I contemplated going in to talk to him, but most attempts to calm him down are to no avail. Usually we just give him time to work it out himself, in a place we don't have to see or hear it. This time though, I ended up peaking through a crack in the door to see a very distraught little boy, crying, trying to catch his breath between yells and sobs. I went in the room and sat down next to him. He was still so caught up in whatever it was that he was upset about, he didn't even notice I was there. I said in a quite voice, "Ryan, calm down." He would not look at me, and continued his tantrum. I said, "Ryan, look at me." As he peaked up at me, he settled down slightly. I knelt down to his level and I looked him right in the eyes. I said, "It's okay, calm down." He quieted a little more. I said, "Come here." And as he crawled into my lap, the sobs started. Something about my calm voice, something about that hug changed the emotion from complete anger and upset, to sadness and repentance.
How many times are we this caught up in ourselves? How often are we so worried about our situation, that we don't even notice that Gods waiting for us to look at Him? I think sometimes God just lets us try to handle things on our own, since we are so sure we can do it. He wants us to realize that we can't do it on our own, so we understand that we need Him. And when all is said and done, God sometimes has to get in our faces and say, "Look at me." "Focus on me." "Be still."
Maybe it's a situation in our lives, or maybe it's a person or relationship. Maybe we have a tenancy to try and control situations, and God's saying, "Be still and trust me."
How many times have I acted like Ryan, and haven't realized it. How many times has God just waited for me to settle down and look at Him.
In the end, we realize we've tried to handle everything, when we should have let God help, and sometimes even let God handle it completely. Then comes repentance, and peace as we let go.
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." ~Exodus 14:14~
"Be still and know, that I am God." ~Psalm 46:10~
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