Does It Make You Wonder?

I've appreciated the words of encouragement regarding our little project here.  One church member referred to it as "The E-Abbey," which I thought was clever.  I hope readers will continue to enjoy it.

This morning was another example of how my sons continue to teach me a great deal about my own relationship to God.  I'll save the specific details for Sunday morning, but suffice to say that the beauty and tension of most father/son relationships is the difference in perspective.  This inspires comments from the son such as "you don't understand" or even the more dramatic "you don't love me."  Parents, don't you just love these 'precious moments?'

In a similar episode this morning, I found myself looking for a compassionate, yet direct way to say, 'I do understand what you are saying to me, and how you feel about it, but the bottom line is I do not care for the things you are putting value on at the moment, and want you to understand that your current pain is brought about by your misguided priorities and foolish obsessions.  If you could see what I see, or would just take my word for it, then life would be grand and we could move on down the road with gladness.'  Or something like that.

Now maybe I'm just a cold and heartless parent, but sometimes I might wonder why my 8 year old doesn't get the point.  Father Knows Best.

Until I remember that God probably wonders the same thing about me. 

Therefore, with the boy as my teacher, it is the words of the psalmist that capture my attention today.  Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of your law (119:18).  When was the last time you or I took delight in "the law?"  The "rule" from on high?  I've pushed back against it, resisted it, even regretted it, but rarely do I say "Oh God, thank you for the ways in which you restrict me and redirect me (even when it is clearly for my own good)!"  Ironically, however, this is what I expect from my own children.  Though in my case, my only wonder is usually "well, why not?" when a better response might be "Okay, Lord...what now?"

The psalm indicates this major turn in perspective, and is a great sign of wisdom and maturity: My soul is consumed at all times with longing for your judgments.  Longing? Really? Wow!  What a different disposition!

In Genesis 41:13, the chief cupbearer said of Joseph, as he interpreted to us, so it turned out.  Joseph, as one who was upheld and compelled by the will of God, was given the gift of new perspective.  While others went about with eyes closed, frustrated and afraid,  Joseph was consumed by a different kind of question: Okay, Lord...what now?  In every instance, such perspective proved to be quite liberating for Joseph and for those who were under his care.

Trusting our Authority in this way requires much training, but is made all the easier when we understand that we have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. 

Does my eight year old son get that?  Not yet. 

Do I? 

Train us to be faithful, Lord, and teach us your ways so our lives may reflect you, to the glory of God the Father, Amen.