I have a seventeen year old daughter named Stephanie who is a senior in high school. She is bright and vivacious, and has had an independent spirit since she was two! Over the past year or so since she has been driving and dating, it has become more common for her to be the last one in at night and usually the last one to bed. At first I would remind her to be sure and lock all the doors and turn off all the lights. "I know, Mom. You don't have to tell me," she would answer. Still there were some mornings I would wake to find a light on or an occasional unlocked door. This was not often, but I still felt justified in a gentle reminder, which of course, she resented greatly.
So instead of verbally reminding her, I began to leave her a sticky note in the kitchen or on her mirror where I knew she would see it (what did we ever do before sticky notes?!). To make it more subtle, I would make the note itself about something I needed to tell her--so & so called or don't forget such & such appointment tomorrow. Then I would add, "P.S. don't forget the lights and locks." Well, this went on for a while til one night this summer. It was late, and I was tired, so I just went on to bed without leaving a note. She'd been doing real well about taking care of everything, and I felt she didn't want me reminding her what to do anyway. You could have knocked me over with a feather the next morning when she came in and exclaimed, "Mom! Where's my note? I looked all over for it last night. You didn't leave me a note!" Kids--you just can't figure them out!
Isn't it wonderfully reassuring that we don't have to "figure out" God? He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. When we get up in the morning we don't have to wonder what kind of mood He will be in. He is always loving, full of mercy and compassion (Neh. 9:17). We don't have to wonder if He has forgiven us for what we said or did yesterday that afterward we were truly sorry for (I John 1:9). He always keeps His promises (Ps. 145:13). He is faithful, even when we are not.
He has left us notes--the Bible--filled with instruction and expressions of His love. And we don't have to look anywhere else. All we need is there. Thanks be to God for this wonderful gift!!
Becky
Back to our home page!