My daughter is turning 12
Pastor Jeff Williams // February 3rd, 2009
Sheridan’s 12th birthday is this month. I was reading back over some old newsletter articles and came across one about Sheridan… she was and is a cutie!
ATTENTION!
I ENJOY MY CHILDREN! Sheridan is a small “bundle of joy” and “too much to handle” all rolled up into 30 pounds. On the days she does not have pre-school, and no other kids are around, she can literally wear a person down with her “attention getters” and little commands. I don’t know how many times I have made the 100 yard jaunt up to the house from my office after an insisting phone call, only to be shown a piece of paper displaying her masterpiece of colors and markers. She demands attention, using her irresistible, well-polished charm and manipulation (innate in every female) already perfectly crafted at age four. How can I ignore that?!?! Yet, when I want her attention, especially to tell her something important or to discipline her, the conversation goes something like this: Sheridan, I want you . . . Sheridan, look at me . . . look at me please . . . I want you . . . look at me! . . . Go upstairs . . . Sheridan, Sheridan look . . . go upstairs and . . . look at me right now . . . it’s time to brush . . . Sheridan, you better look at me! . . . Right now! . . . Go upstairs and . . . SHERIDAN!!!! My “one sentence order” turns into a ten-minute repetitious speech of tyranny! How so with our relationship with our Heavenly Father. He loves us so much that He puts up with our constant commands and shortcomings, our selfishness and failures. Yet when He wants to tell us something we are too busy or refuse to listen. We twist His words or simply disagree. Even at our most spiritually mature state, we are still children of God who need His discipline. “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes those he accepts as his children.” Hebrews 12:5b, 6 NLT
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Boy, does THAT kind of conversation ever sound familiar!!
As exasperating as kids are, it does remind me of what infinite patience God has with us… I’m so glad that He is full of grace and does not give us what we *truly* deserve most of the time!