Kicking and Screaming

On our last trip to Nashville before we actually moved, we met up with a friend of ours named Brady. A pretty cool kid we met through Donny and Nui Ohana. He's from Nashville and knows quite a bit about the scene and he took us to a cool cafe to eat lunch.

While we were out with him, he told us a story of this kid from his church. The church he goes to isn't on the best side of Nashville. One day he walked outside with some people from his church and saw this kid jumping around outside and playing and doing what 4 year olds do. They tried to talk to the kid and let him know he should go inside... it wasn't the safest place to just be playin' around. The kid kept ignoring their warnings and requests. Finally, Brady picked him up and took him inside to his parents. He explained, “He was outside playing and I didn't think it was a good idea for him to be out there alone.” His parents thanked Brady while the kid was yelling, “I hate you! I will never forgive you!!!” Brady got down on his level and asked him, “Do you love your parents?” The kid replied, “Yes.” He asked, “Do you want to see them again?” Again the kid replied, “Yes.” So Brady explained, “Well, if you play outside here, someone might take you away and you might not ever see them again.” The kid thought about this and then replied. “Oh. Well, I'll forgive you, but I'm not happy about it!!!”

Of course, after hearing this story we were all giggling. Such a smart kid... =D

But I thought about this a little more. How many times am I doing my own thing and then God comes along and tries to redirect my path, yet I ignore him? So he tries to warn me again and I continue to ignore him. So he has to pick me up and move me while I'm kicking and screaming the whole time. Then he finally sets me down and explains why he had to move me and my response is “Oh!”

God always knows what is best for me. He sees the bigger picture. However, I sometimes get all caught up in doing my own thing that I neglect my relationship with him, or I ignore him. Then I feel like I have the right to get mad at Him when he removes me from endangering myself.

A popular verse that comes to mind is Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So, why would I get mad if he has plans to prosper and not harm me? I like to do my own thing. I'm hard headed. I don't like to be told what to do. It's just how I am. However, I can't know everything. I'm not bigger and better... and I don't always know what is best for me. I can't be prideful and think I can do things on my own. I have to be humble and allow for God's direction.

Another verse that I think of is Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

I have to find comfort in these words. If I truly think about it, I should be glad that I'm not in control of my own world and my own life. I would screw it up so bad!!!

So, next time God is gently redirecting my path, I hope I listen instead of throwing a fit and looking like a fool.

-Regina

Ps. If you want a good verse to read, Isaiah 55 is a great read. I read through the whole thing again when I looked it up for this blog and it amazed me with His infinite glory. If you click on the title of this blog, it will link you to the passage. Enjoy, seekers.