Theology and A Three Year Old

Well, my little girl turns three today – on the 6th. I can’t believe it has been three years already. I can still remember her birth as if it were yesterday. We were on our way to a friend’s birthday party when Andrea’s water broke. We were admitted to the hospital about 6:00 p.m., they began inducing labor about 6:00 a.m. the next day, and a little over four hours later, we had a baby girl. I can still remember when they took her over to the exam table, I made sure Andrea was OK, and I went over to the table with Rebekah. She took my pinky in her little hand, squeeze real tight, and I haven’t been worth a toot since. She has me whooped!

For all the talk about PKs (and she is apparently going to follow the stereotype very closely), that little girl has taught me some pretty big lessons about God. I don’t think she meant to, but she has nonetheless. You see, I have learned that there are some pretty scary similarities between the earthly father-daughter relationship and the heavenly Father-child relationship.

First and foremost, I have learned how God must feel to tell me over and over what He wants me to do, only to watch as I run around doing my own thing – and have the nerve to think that it is funny! Rebekah’s thing usually happens first thing in the morning when we are changing from PJs to play clothes. I sit in the floor and get everything ready and nicely ask her to come sit with me and change clothes. But instead she decides this is the time to twirl and dance. What keeps this from being amusing to me is that once I sit in the floor, it is no easy act to get up and go retrieve her. Of course there are a myriad of instances where she disobeys, she is a 3 year old after all, and that is what they do best. But I should know better when it comes to God. I know He has my best interest and His glory in mind, but I still want to run and do something else. And, yes, unfortunately, sometimes I find it amusing – at least for a short time. And then . . . uh-oh!

Another lesson about God she has taught me is how much more I could do if I would depend on Him for strength and help. Bekah has learned the phrase, “Bekah do it!!!!” The world’s ketchup supply is now seriously depleted because Bekah did it. Tonight’s bath was 1 part water 100 parts bubbles because Bekah did it. She has quite the independent streak. There are some of my traits I wish she had not inherited. How many times do I, in effect, say to God, “Jim do it.” “Hey, God, thanks for getting me this far, but I can take it from here.” “Nah, I really don’t need to pray today, I got it all under control.” OK, quit looking at the screen all spiritual like – we all do it. How much more of God’s glory would I see if I quit only doing what I am capable of doing and started stretching my faith to let God do HIS work through me?

And one last lesson I will share. Apparently, there is absolutely nothing I can do that will separate me from my Father’s love. No matter how aggravating I may be, He loves me. No matter how independent I try to be, He loves me. No matter how many times I disobey, He loves me. I see how that happens now that I am on the giving end of that kind of love. I only hope that she feels as safely and securely loved by her earthly father as he does by his Heavenly Father. And I hope that I can show her by my love, just how much her Heavenly Father loves her. Just as I would do anything for her . . . HE already has done everything for her.