I have a child that has been particularly………..how should I say it?…………..irritating lately.  I’m not sure what the deal is, but she has been especially mouthy and disobedient the last few days and stirring up trouble with her brother and sisters on every hand.  Dad has been out-of-town too, so I have had to do some hard parenting lately.  By the 3rd day of this I’m thinking, Good grief princess, I’m about to lock you in the top of a castle!

This morning we were doing the whole get-ready-for-school routine.  My kids leave for school in shifts.  I was having a “discussion” with princess just as I was pushing her out the door.  She was just plain difficult this am.  If she were 45 I would say it was menopause.  If she were a few years older I would say it was PMS.  (I’m not sure we will survive either when the time comes…..pray for my husband and son…………they live with 5 women!)  But I think in the end, it’s just sin.  She wants her way and she kicks against the boundaries.

After we finally got her and her sister out the door I turned my attention to the next set of kids to leave the nest this morning.  My 12-year-old son comments about his sister and her antics of the last few days (bad behavior never goes unnoticed………in kids or adults) and we have this conversation:

Him:  “Why has she been so much trouble the last few days?”

Me:  “I don’t know, but it’s been rough hasn’t it?”

Him:  “I hope she doesn’t act like this when we go on our trip.” (We’re going to Disney next month.)

Me:  “THAT would not be good!”

Him:  “I guess you’re going to have to bring down the hammer.”

What did he say?  I laughed out loud.  How like us.  We see the bad behavior in others and want someone to bring down the hammer. Just spend some time with a few kids (and some adults I know) and the tattle-tells will emerge.  But we rarely see our own bad behavior and when the hammer is about to fall we beg for mercy!

I can so relate to my daughter.  I test the boundaries almost every day with God.  I’m constantly at war between submitting to His authority and showing him I know what’s best for my life.  9 or 90, the battle rages on in an effort to become mature.  I can also really relate to my son.  Wanting others to be punished for their wrong doing.  I want the hammer to come down on some folks and believe they deserve it.

But here’s the truth:  God should bring the hammer down on me and you. But He hasn’t.  Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  And Romans 2:4 says: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance”

In a spirit of Thanksgiving I just want to say thank you God for not bringing the hammer down on me.  I know I deserve it.  I know I was lost and separated from God.  His enemy.  I deserve Hell, but God has rescued me, adopted me into His family and given me LIFE.  He has given me purpose and meaning.  He has gifted me with joy and peace.  By His grace I have been forgiven of sins.  And continue to be.  I have salvation.  He spared me from the hammer.

And since the day of my rescue He has continued to lavish His love on me and give me strength for the journey.  I have seen God do amazing things and answer prayers that were miraculous.  He has taken notice of every detail of my life and given me all I need.  He has blessed me with a big family and a house full of love.  He has allowed enough struggle to keep me depending on His strength and to humble my heart.  He has given me enough blessing to recognize His goodness.

I continue to test the boundaries and want my way and yet He patiently shows me truth.   His kindness leads me to repentance.  He has chosen not to bring down the hammer, although it is well within His rights and purview to do so.  He is gracious beyond words I have to say.  It makes me think of that old hymn, “The Love of God”.  I will leave you with its powerful lyrics.  Recognize His love today. Be grateful He has spared you from the hammer.  Pour out your praise to Him and be sure to share the love with someone else. We all need it.

Blessings!

Connie