We are all born so compliant and willing to follow rules and orders-NOT. Lucy is no exception. She has her ideas about what we should do, when we should do it, and HEAVEN HELP if it is not going her way! Lucy is a typical toddler-Willful is her middle name. She is not an exception to the rule--in fact--wanting to rule is the universal problem with toddlers.
"Lucy, don't color on the table?" "BUT I WANT TO!" Or even worse she keeps coloring and totally ignores what you are saying. My solution as a grandmother begins with trying to re-direct her attention. If this does not work, I impose my will over hers. My will is not intended to make Lucy unhappy, but instead is meant to keep her safe and moving in the right direction. Arguing with a three year old is not at the top of my daily agenda. Occasionally we have a full blown melt down--which I choose to ignore. It takes a firm hand and strong will to over rule the strong willed child. My goal is being in charge has nothing to do with "Winning the day", but instead has everything to do with keeping Lucy happy and protected.
WELL NOW--we adults are all grown up and therefore follow the rules and laws without hesitation-NOT. Those speed limits posted on the highways and byways are always meticulously followed by all of us. The "I thought 70 meant 75 because we are given 5 miles leeway" pretty much means we did not obey the law. AND after a long career of preparing tax returns, I can testify there is a LOT of bending and stretching of the tax laws to limit how much we give Uncle Sam. Much discussion has been generated from the concept that Jesus came to "Free Us From The Law."
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:14
I wrote an entire page expounding upon freedom through Christ, why we have the law, and the Law of Christ. While mulling it over, it occurred to me I should think as a child. Shell it down to the basic fact that God loves me. God wants what is best for me. His Word is given to guide me down the path of a Joyous and Blessed Life. He wants what is best for me. He wants to protect me. By knowing His Word and following it--I will live life abundantly. Being obedient to The Word is not about God being overbearing--it IS about experiencing his love and protection.
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40
I can so relate to those Lucy moments, Lulu. As I babysat for Virginia A LOT when she was younger, I couldn't afford to be the spoiling grandparent. The rules had to be spelled out, sometimes repeatedly, to get her to tow the line. But like you, I did all out of love for her, knowing what is best. So grateful that God does the same for us, especially when we can act like wayward toddlers.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, my Friend!
Amen! Aren’t we blessed to have these sweet grands!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!