My 2 year old son Silas is in this stage where he wants to do EVERYTHING himself.  It drives me up a wall.  It takes 10 times longer for everything. Whether it be putting his shoes on when we are in a hurry to get out the door or getting on his pajamas when I’m just ready for the day to end.  Everything is “No, mine, I do it.”  There’s part of me that realizes that it’s important to let him do things and encourage him, even if he gets it wrong. Like putting his shoes on the wrong feet. But after he has tried numerous times and can’t do it, I offer my help and he still refuses.  This typically leaves him really frustrated and sometimes in tears.

Hmmm… sound familiar? I’m 37 years old and it sounds a bit like a relationship I have, but instead with my holy Father.  Whether it’s in how I do life, motherhood or marriage, often times God let’s me give it a try and when I can’t breakthrough He offers his hand.  Sometimes I take His guidance but other times I basically say, “no, mine, I do it!”  Have you ever been in a little tiff with your husband and swore the best way to go about it was to give him the silent treatment but God definitely said “do it my way, not yours.” Yet you still couldn’t push past your own pride and you continued on with your grudge?  How did that turn out for you?  Much like my son Silas, I’ve ended up really frustrated and in tears.

So what would it look like if we were eager to do things God’s way?  First, we’d have to learn to let go of our pride.  We should know by now that we do not have all the answers.  This is the fundamentals to understanding that we need a savior because our way is often times not the best way.  We need Him. We have to admit that and when we do, we find ourselves in a lot better shape.  Second, once we tell God we need Him, we have to be willing to sit in stillness and listen for his response.  If you’ve never done this, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to get that “knowing” and His spirit will speak directly to your heart and you will know exactly what to do.

Now, this sounds easy but it does not come easy. At least for me anyway.  It is honestly one of the hardest things for me to master.  And has been most likely the toughest thing to do as I’ve tried to live out my walk with Christ.  Surrendering everything means letting go of old responses, releasing old habits, old thought patterns and all control. And for some of us, that’s not an easy thing to do.  It feels scary. But every SINGLE time I do it, it works out for the best.  And it gets easier every time.

I don’t know what it is today that you need to release or at least loosen the grip on, but I want to encourage you to be obedient to God.  Because just like a mother knows best for her children, God knows what’s best for us.

Isaiah 1:19-  If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.

Jeremiah 7:23- “Obey my voice and I will be your God, and you will become my people. And walk in all the way that I command and it will be well with you.”