We go to church in a beautiful part of Mobile with sprawling centuries old oak trees that have gnarly roots bursting up from the ground. This past Sunday morning as we got to church, my daughter, Elizabeth and I parked in front of one of these trees. In order to get to the church entrance, we could have walked along the grassy root filled area or walked on the smooth pavement of the parking lot. Elizabeth, being the adventurous first grader that she is wanted to walk among the roots. I wanted to walk on even ground. When I saw her heading toward the grassy area, I said, "Let's walk this way," gesturing towards the parking lot. She protested, "I'll just go this way."
"No, we need to go this way."
"Why?"
"Because you may trip on the roots."
"No I won't. I'll be careful."
"Come down here and walk with me." (in my "serious mom voice", and I probably added, "right now":)
She came down, but she didn't want to. This led into a discussion about obedience and how I know what is best for her and that I am just trying to do a good job as her mommy and keep her safe.
Later as I was thinking about this it occurred to me that we often find ourselves with a choice to make about which way we are going in life. There may be a couple of paths we can take, and we hear God telling us to take one path for our safety or growth, but we disobey and take another path. The path we choose when we disobey may lead to the same ultimate destination, but it is inevitably filled with many obstacles that can leave us bruised and battered. The simple act of obedience will save us so much heartache if we only trust and obey. It also occurred to me for possibly the first time, that obedience is rooted in trust.
As for my children, my husband and I are trying to instill in them obedience at an early age in the small things so that they will build their trust in us and obey in the bigger things as they continue to grow. Obedience to our earthly parents and our heavenly Father is so important.
"Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him." Psalm 128:1 (NIV)
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." Colossians 3: 20 (NIV)
