Early Wednesday morning, I was writing in my journal while having a coffee in one of my favorite local shops in Garland, Texas. While writing, I was chronicling the experience I was having with the Lord for the past 24-48 hours.
Then, out came this narrative…a narrative that really described what I was experiencing.
The entire experience could be likened to that of a 16-year-old boy whose outrageously upset.
About what!? Sure, he’s a teenager. What could he possibly be angry about? It can’t possibly be THAT big of a deal. He’s a teenager. But, his Father doesn’t approach it that way. He’s got an issue…He meet’s his son where he is in his sons maturity (or lack there of) for that moment.
In the teens’ moment of anger, frustration and teenage angst boosted to 100 on a scale of 1 to 10 he sees that everything sucks…his life sucks…and he wants a do-over and feels totally mistreated and misunderstood. He wants things to work for him…but…he can’t see past his wants to see how good he actually has it. Sure, a couple of really awesome things are going on…but…he’s lacking a true view of how blessed he really is.
He stomps his way to his room and slams the door. In this story, the Father stops at nothing to get his son to talk. But, he knows that the boy has to cool down before really being able to reach him.
Once the son leaves his room and enters the space in the house where the Father often resides, the Father asks him to sit with him.
He wants his son to explain, specifically, what’s troubling him.
The young teen tries to use his words. His Father can read between the lines. He moves closer and wraps his arm around his beloved son. And in between the words come tears from his son. His Father asks his son to let him handle the problems.
Once the son and his Father talked it out, the son decided to trust again and love again.
And, he apologized for his attitude in the moment.
The son realizes that he was being pretty self-centered and selfish…but the Father was well aware of where it was coming from. And, he dealt with his sons heart…he dealt with the the legitimate aches with legitimate truth.
I’m so grateful for God being so patient with me and so loving and so kind. I’m grateful that He sent His son Jesus. I’m grateful that the Lord stops me before I make things become more about me rather than about HIM. I’m thankful and grateful that He loves me where I am and invites me into more in Him…a life that perpetually shows that Jesus is FIRST and ONLY.
When I actually seek the Lord FIRST I not only have nothing to worry about, but, I also stop worrying, period!
Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
I’m grateful for the Lord loving me and disciplining me so I can actually come to a place of maturity in Him.
This particular message has been in me for several, several days!
