There was a time, just a few months ago, that when asked to do something, Hudson would say, “yes, ma’am.” Or he’d simply go do it. We had taken a few days to put him in time out every time he shouted a defiant, “no!” at me. And it worked.
And now we’re back there. The defiant “no” is back in our house.
(To prove that I’m not making an example out of Hudson, Hayes is just as bad about the disobedience, but he just can’t say “no” yet. He just ignores me.)
Because Hudson is too young to know how to think before he speaks, I have to very carefully and very slowly tread so that I don’t speak too quickly.
I want to teach him the value of obedience. I want him to want to obey.
And then the light bulb goes off in my head as I realize I’m not so different from Hudson. I think back over the last 8 months during our house selling process. We prayed for things and the doors were closed in our faces. Actual doors to homes we loved and imagined ourselves in. I had mentally placed furniture in at least two homes that didn’t end up becoming ours.
But we stayed the course. We waited. Impatiently. But we did wait. And despite wanting more and more to take things into our own hands, we waited.
Because I know that God was protecting us. We don’t know what He was protecting us from, but we just knew that the right doors would open at the right time, and we would know.
And now here we are at a place where we need to make a decision. In so many ways, it’s tempting to stop praying at this point because in three weeks we’ll close on our house. The rest is up to us.
But this is where the tricky stuff comes in. These are the decisions that will affect our family and our future. It’s big stuff. And giving it to Jesus is our act of praise.
When I pray and ask Him to make the path as clear as possible, I’m worshipping Him. He wants me to obey, and he wants me to want to obey.
These are very earthly decisions we’re making right now. But our hearts are His. Our family is His. And He wants us to trust Him and put all of this on Him. Because He wants to protect us.
And, most importantly, He wants us to always, always, always remember that our happiness and contentment are found in Christ alone.
Despite my mind telling me to just hurry up and make a decision so we can move in to our next house in time to decorate a Christmas tree, He’s pulling me back and forcing me to listen to Him. He’s putting up road blocks.
So now we’re waiting for His timing again, and there’s extreme comfort in that.
Good gravy! I think your post today was meant for me! (Uh, selfish much, I know). Seriously, I’m in my office thinking about a major career change, and was writing in my journal about my choices, the pros and the cons, the “can I really do this”, what about my husband, etc. Then out of nowhere I decide to check my favorite blogs, yours being one, and I read your post and it hit me in the face… wait on God. Let Him guide my decision and it will be the RIGHT decision. Funny how He goes about reminding us that He alone has the right answers… While waiting for Him is indeed comforting, holy cats, I GET IMPATIENT. That’s the one thing I pray over and over for help with – patience. OK, just wanted to share with you your post was just what I needed to read. Have a great day!
THANK YOU for this! You must be in my head. I was laid off in May and have been searching for another job ever since then. Jobs that I thought would work out didn’t and I’ve struggled with my new found role as a SAHM to a 3 yo little boy, who by the way, is also very fond of “no.” I’m trying so hard to be patient and obedient and know that everything will work out in HIS perfect timing.
Have you read the book “Choose Joy” because this sentence you wrote so reminds me of it:
“And, most importantly, He wants us to always, always, always remember that our happiness and contentment are found in Christ alone.”
“He wants us to want to obey.”… You hit it on the head there. I was literally nodding in agreement. Thanks for this encouragement today, and prayers for your family!
You have such a great way of saying things…this is perfect!! We are in the same situation and keep wondering “why not?” or “Why us?” or “Why not now?” And we have to stop ourselves, take a step back and remember that He has a plan. As hard as it is to do that, it’s the only thing to do!! Thanks for another great post just when I needed it!!
I’m right there with you! (and by the sounds of the comments, lots of others are too!) I think impatience is my biggest downfall. So many good things can happen if we all just slow down and wait for His plan to unfold. I get a daily email from the Christian working woman and the topic this week has been living in the moment instead of for the moment. I think your 31 series will help you with that. Keep enjoying your daily moments and God will keep revealing his plan to you little by little. Whether you have a beautiful Christmas tree or something thrown up with dollar store decorations to make do, it’ll be just perfect. 🙂
I simply love this. I’m right there with you on the waiting game, for a different reason.
Thank you so much for this post … Something I really needed to hear. Sometimes (well, most of the time!), It’s so hard to sit back and wait on God patiently. It’s so much easier at the moment to rush ahead and do what we THINK God is telling us to do. Thanks for the reminder where true happiness and contentment come from!