Fork in a Light Socket

Sticking a fork in a light socket has never been a good idea but I am amazed how often we as adults do it. What? You may be asking, let me explain. However does our curiosity and impatience for the word no cause us to do something that we knew from the warnings we had received would be a bad idea.

A child is told from the time they can crawl and point "no" we even invented covers to keep a child from being tempted or able to place anything in a light socket. My oldest son is now 8 and in my personal opinion old enough to be able to plug something in when needed. However, the caution in his face each time he does is as if he is fearful for his life each time he plugs something in. I may chuckle at this response but when I really think about it, he reacts that way because he has just been told "no that will hurt you!" Well yes it would hurt him but only if he is not using the outlet for the purpose in which it was intended. But we do not stop and explain that to the toddler who is curious why? Because at the time of present danger they would not understand. We are simply telling them "trust me it is for your safety and well being." Hmmm... are you beginning to see the connection?

Many times we have been warned either by the Lord himself or by those he has placed in our lives. And sometimes we listen and step back. Other times we decided that we are independent! Old enough, capable, we are going to do it anyway! What happens? We stick a fork in the light socket that was intended for another purpose and we in the end find ourselves shocked. Literally.

I know in our current life we have asked the Lord to do something major. Something that would change our life and the lives of our family completely. We began to take the steps needed to move in the direction we wanted all the while seeking the Lord for assistance. Notice I did not say guidance. In the beginning we asked him to bless our decision and waited with great expectation for immediate change. Then as time began to move on and opportunities began to present themselves I was convinced that we were on the right path! This was it! And I was going to push and push to make it come faster! Then the word no came. Well that was not what I wanted to hear. I was so sure Lord! You said if we ask that you would bless it! I became disappointed, confused, and then...content. Like that bolt of electricity that bounces you on your butt after sticking the fork in the light socket, it hit me. I asked, I had faith, but I was not trusting.

In my request I asked that our family legacy would being to change as a result of this request. That there would be opportunities to impact others. All good things. All things that the Lord WILL bless, when it is time. Funny enough I don't like surprises but I was basically asking for one. The Lord knowing his child like he does allowed me to throw my fit, spanked me, then when I was rational said, are you ready to listen? "Leah I am preparing you, you are just not ready yet. But I promise you will be."

When it was time for my son to learn to plug the vacuum in, I showed him and he understood. If at 3 I was showing him how to plug it in, it would not have been safe for him. Why? Because simply, he wasn't ready. I was encouraged through this simple example that we often ask and then immediately ask Why? Why didn't it work the way I wanted it to or when I wanted it too? Sometimes the answer is simply, we are not ready, sometime it is that we are trying to use something for the wrong purpose. Either way what comfort to know that our Heavenly Father prepares us and protects us for the moments when we are just not there yet. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and although we could push the limits and force something we shouldn't, the peace comes in the trusting in HIS timing.

Through their eyes

Often times I learn things by watching my children. And this cannot be more true than when I get small glimpses into their hearts and minds. This past Friday as I was watching Bryce now 6, as he went through his Bible lesson for the day I was faced with deep compassion and confusion all at the same time. He has been learning the story of Abraham and is now at the part of Lot. Well I don't have to say much for those of you who know the story of Lot but for those who do not, Lot was spared by condition while Sodom and Gomorrah where destroyed. The condition "Obey the Lord, Look forward, leave the city and DO NOT look back. Lot and his two daughters obeyed and charged out of the city while Lot's wife on the other hand was turned to a pillar of salt... As they story was gently being taught by his bible story Bryce still got it. I watched as his face went from his natural "I'm interested" look to complete despair. He began to cry and grieve the loss of Lot's wife. "Why did God do that mom?"..."Well Bryce we always have a choice to make, will we choose to obey and follow after God or will we choose to follow the pleasures of the world? " "And if we follow the world God will turn us to salt mom? I don't want to be salt."

In that moment I wished I had his eyes and an once of the compassion that little boy has. There is a verse in Hebrews that says "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2.

If you have a child with a disability or with special needs, I believe  we are given this gift everyday. Do I think they are angels? No, but I do think they have courage that exceeds most, compassion deeper than most, and faith deeper and simpler than most. I don't know about you but I have never cried for Lot and his family. But I should. The stories of loss and despair should pierce my heart as deeply as the sacrifice of Christ. For if we had not fallen we would not have required His great sacrifice. My son's heart teaches me that my heart should hurt for all those who parish instead of my first thought which is "while they should have made a wise choice." True, but they parished and what is to say I will not encounter the same temptations they did.

Compassion my must be at the fore front of our hearts for the message of God's love to be heard, judgement is the easy way out, but thankfully it's not God's way.