Obedience... Are they learning that from me!?!?!

Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart-- Psalms 119:2

There are so many times in parenthood that I expect obedience, no questions asked, no arguing, no complaining, just obedience. As a parent, I want my children to obey me not just because I'm some wacky control freak, but for their good. I want them to obey so that we don't loose precious time over silly things. I want them to obey from the heart and with a good attitude, because I know there are benefits linked to their obedience. I want obedience because I know the order that it brings to our home and life. I know how much smoother things will run if everyone is just doing their part and not having to do the jobs of others. 

It hit me hard today, that God wants obedience from me for all those very same reasons. He sees benefits that I can not. He sees the path of my life becoming clearer and clearer to me, as I obey Him. He wants obedience because He doesn't want me to waste the limited, precious time He's given me on this earth. He wants obedience so that the mission He has for His people is carried out, but not in a way that it is too much for any one person.  He wants us all carrying our weigh doing what we love; what He's put in us, so that others are led to Him. He wants us to obey, to show our love for Him. 

As a parent, lately, I've been feeling like my children just haven't been 'hearing' me. I feel like I've been going through one of those times where I say the same things a MILLION times. And honestly, I've been so frustrated in this season. But tonight, as I struggled to do something I'm just not called to do, God showed me something. What I'm seeing in my children merely a reflection of where I am and have been with God! Now, I'd be lying if I said this revelation made me happy or made me feel all warm and fuzzy, but thank God for His honesty when dealing with us!!! 

So let me encourage you, obey God QUICKLY, without reserve or hesitation. Obey Him as if someone else is waiting for the blessing of your obedience. Obey Him, seek Him, and love Him above all else. Don't allow your mind, emotions, or the negative thoughts of others to keep you from obeying without hesitation. It's in that place of obedience that you will find the rest and peace that you long for, and I will dare to say that in that place of obedience you will find your full provision. 

Peter had to step out of the boat, and sometimes we get that far!  And thats great, we often step out of the boat and start to obey God, but then we take our eyes off Him somewhere in the midst of an 

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G God-experience and then we just sink. So when we step out in obedience let us remember not to look backwards, sideways, or at the obstacles but rather lets keep our eyes focused on the One who upholds us.