Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Encouragement


After a morning at the park, in beautiful 60 degree weather, I called the kids and said the least popular phrase a child could ever hear at the park.

"It's time to go!"

My boys, looked up (or down, depending on which end of the jungle gym they were at) and shouted, the most favorite phrase any mom at the park could ever hear,

"Yes, MOOOOM!"

And they jumped off the play equipment and ran to obey.

As any mom does, when her children obey without challenge, without excuse, and without delay, I felt a surge of happiness and joy as we marched to the car hand in hand.

Some of the other moms looked at each other in disbelief. Some frowned. Some smiled. Some mouthed "Wow!!"

And I thought, for a brief moment, of going back to the crowd of moms and saying, "This doesn't happen half as often as it should!!!!!" But I thought better of it. Why mar the moment with excuses? For today. For just a moment. I'll delight in the pleasure of obedience. And I'll let my kids delight in it too.


For, truly, all of us smiled hugely as we walked to the car. I think we were all praising God for a moment like this. I felt so glad for my kids to know the joy of obedience. To walk in the light. And to feel God's face shining upon them. While we know that our good works can never save us, and that it is Christ and Christ alone that brings us into favor with God, there is still such pleasure in serving and obeying Him.

And like my kids, I too know just how how good it feels to obey the Lord. I was so thankful for the bit of personal encouragement it brought-- that all the discipline, the spankings, the tears, the trials...it's worth it. My kids are learning. And so am I.

So, as I said, we reveled in the moment. Cause we all know, it doesn't happen as often as it should.

12 comments:

Rach said...

Aww, I love it! What a special moment to revel in! :)

Pamela said...

How special! "I felt so glad for my children to know the joy of obedience." Beautiful words.

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

And even though it doesn't happen as often as it should, it does happen and you're laying a wonderful foundation for when it won't be as easy for them to say Yes, Mom!

Amy said...

What a great example. I have been running into so many examples of obedience lately. I think the Lord must be shouting at me. Thanks so much for sharing and I'm so glad you had such a wonderful day!

Caitlin {Pacifier In My Pocket} said...

You should absolutely enjoy that moment! So sweet!

My Mad World said...

So wonderful those moments of obedience! Like you said it doesn't happen that often but when it does we are so proud of them! It is so worth it!

I love what you said here...
"While we know that our good works can never save us, and that it is Christ and Christ alone that brings us into favor with God, there is still such pleasure in serving and obeying Him."
So very very true, no matter the age! :) Enjoy the rest of your blessed day!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post! Your children are truly blessed to have a mother who is teaching them to 'walk in the Light', and about the joys of serving Him.

Kay said...

woohoo, love those moments!!! i wish it were not so rare for kids in general to just obey. i totally see myself in that as well. my children gave me a whole new insight into my sinfulness, they are truly a wonderful form of sanctification!

Grace said...

A little moment of victory...I am just starting to understand this feeling with Cora...my mom keeps reminding me, the discipline is so worth it in the end!

Grandma said...

Good work, Kathryn and Nick! It is wonderful to see the fruit of your labors in obedience. Blessings from above!

Sgt Zapple said...

You should enjoy it. Those moments are amazing and rare, at least for me.

Unknown said...

I love it! God is good. I was going to ask what is your secret :P I think by you being faithful to God and obedient to Him...your kids will learn obedience. I think that's about right? I hope I can show this to my daughter when she grows older.

:) I love following your blog, and this is my first time here!

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