December 14

“However things may look, we always know that God must give the best because He is God and can do no other.”  Hannah Whitall Smith, God is Enough, 12/1

This statement in itself should be enough to stab me in the heart.  There in my wound I see my own willfulness--my refusal to lay hold of God.  Any want I have is my own doing and is the direct result of my pride....I’m trying to train my youngest son to close the door on his bathroom cabinet.  I decided the only way he’s going to learn is for me to require him to leave whatever he’s doing and go close it because my friendly reminders have not taught him to close the door before he leaves the room.  After a week and countless trips to close the door after the fact I found the door open after he left for school.  I’m not surprised.  He’s just like his mother!  God has given me plenty of opportunities to hear his teaching and to obey it.  He’s given me experiences in which to practice these lessons, yet I still do not do what I know I should do. But all is not lost.  God’s grace is larger than my sin and He has provided a way for me to be restored to Him.  When my son comes home from school today I will put my arms around him and tell him how much I love him.  Hopefully, his pride won’t be so overblown that when he sees the door he left open, he will quietly close it and resolve to remember next time.

“Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience?  Do you not know God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”  Romans 2:4