Lessons of obedience

As we walk this road of parenthood we learn many lessons. God has to be our guide. It isn't always easy to know when to step in and when to let your child learn a hard lesson on his or her own.  Hannah is having struggles with school because she doesn't focus. Then she has to rush through and makes careless mistakes. She is also trying to be independent at times she should be doing what is asked by her teacher. Today she was deliberately disobedient and did exactly what the teacher said the kids should not do. She has been disciplined. I told her teacher that I expect Hannah to listen and obey.  That I am behind the teacher 100 percent as she tries to help Hannah in class focus and do what she is asked. Hannah isn't doing it to be malicious but out of the need to lead and be independent. Her teacher even sees it that way.  I have to help Hannah channel this.  The only way to do so is with the Lord.  It is times like this, you do wish kids came with manuals.

The old me, would have taken this as a strike against my "mommy hood". That it proved I was doing it wrong or was a failure. However, because of God's healing in my life, heart, and mind, I know this is something God is working out in Hannah. He has a call on her life. I believe one day she is going to lead something that helps others.  However, she has to learn to balance independence with obedience. Don't we all have to learn that lesson.  

When God asks me to do something, do I strike out on my own and do it my way or do I obey?  Do I wait and listen for the still small voice to follow His lead or do I get ahead of Him? 

As a wife, I vowed to love, honor and obey. Now this obedience is not like a parent and child but as the leader of a Godly home.  Do I give my husband the lead or do I try to persuade him to do it my way? Do I let him do something and then redo it or do I just let it be the way he did it? These are all lessons I have been learning over the years in marriage. Sometimes, I do it well. Other times, not so much because like everyone else, there is a part of me, that wants it my way.  

Is my way the best way? Sometimes,sometimes not, but God's way is always the only way.  So as I think about our struggles with Hannah, I say God make me the way I want Hannah to be. Guide my steps Lord, and let me be who you want me to be, so that I can teach them to want to be who you want them to be. 

I will trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.