December 24

“We are so incapable of judging with regard to our own happiness, or that of others, that it should lead us to a patient acquiescence in the Divine will; a resignation which would not only enable us to say, ‘Thy will be done,’ but to feel that submission of mind which would preserve us in calm composure.  Things which appear to our present unhappiness and disadvantage have frequently at a future period proved a benefit, and we have been led to acknowledge that the Lord only knows what is best for us.”  Margaret Woods, 1777, Quaker Readings, 12/16

That must be at the root of our problem....we must think we’re capable of “judging with regard to our own happiness”.  That’s what egotism is, though, isn’t it?  We want what we want when we want it because we think we know best so we "stand up for our rights".  The thing is we come into this world with that belief.  A two-year-old’s tantrum is a classic example.  So how is it we grow up continuing to believe that we know what’s best.  I’m sure it has something to do with the poor example adults set for children and our inability to discipline properly.  In addition, we’re told we need to help our children become independent--we’re to give them some space to do a little rebelling so that they can separate from us.  That’s all well and good, as they say, but we mustn’t take them from depending on us to depending on themselves.  It’s God we must be teaching them to depend on.  How do we do that?  By example and through discipline.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.”  James 4:7, 8