We had the blessing of visiting our grandchildren last month, and seeing our youngest, as a papa of three, was heartwarming. Patient, kind, and loving was the image we left with. It was an image our hearts would have welcomed as children. However, our earthly fathers were men wrestling with demons, and they loved us the best they were able to.  

Seeing our son navigate daily life as a parent was…..interesting and somewhat entertaining. It's interesting to see how he views parenting, and it’s entertaining to see him be at the other end of things! 

When the kiddos were corrected, I sensed God speaking to my heart as his child. Our son would calmly explain to his child what the expectations were and if they recalled knowing it. They would reluctantly agree, and he would tell them whether or not there would be consequences. How they chose to respond was in their camp. Fuss, carry on about the unfairness of the decision, or flip out physically and emotionally. The choice was up to them, whether they were 10, 8, or 5 years old. Just like me. I’m certainly not in the age range my grandchildren are, but I am a child of God and behave in similar ways. 

Do I agree with my loving Father and calmly accept his direction, or do I flip out? I’m a big feeler and although it is a blessing relating to others, it can be detrimental. I no longer flip out (Oh, goodness. That has been a lifelong struggle), but internally, I argue and negotiate in a string of verbal banter.  

 It is ever so much more peaceful and easy when I accept what my Father says than to argue and disagree. I push. I pull. I drag my feet, cross my arms, and shout “No” at the top of my lungs. As they say, “How is that working for you?”.  Not real well. Not today. Not yesterday. 

Isaiah 42:16 says, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."

God says he will smooth out the rough places. Wanting my own way, in my own time frame, foot stomping, arms crossed, bottom lip pouting way, is rough. Steep climbing, switch-back tails with extreme drop-offs. That’s what I choose when I want my own way. It’s difficult at best and takes much, much longer than choosing the path of my loving Father. Cue a big sigh.

Why insist on going my own way when God’s way is best? I am a child. Learning, growing, and becoming. I want to test the waters of life and be my own boss. Like when I was a child chronologically and now, as an eternal child. I’m still testing the waters. I still see how far I can push and get away with it. I’m taking one step at a time to become an intelligent adult who recognizes the wisdom in doing it the best way the first time. 

Taking the hand of our Father as we encounter the unknown paths in life is ever so much easier than making our own way. It may seem that an uncharted path is exciting and that it will make our mark on the world, but we don’t see around the next bend. We have no idea where our blind spots are or when we are in danger. He does. He knows, He cares, and He will lead us regardless of the terrain. 

I’m weary from crooked and steep climbs. What about you? Are you marching upward, heaven-focused, and on course, or are you taking the switchbacks and charting your own course? I’d love to know what your journey looks like. If you’d rather not leave a comment, drop me an email. Fellow travelers are welcome here.