Get Ready

As a mother, a lot of interactions with my children give insight into my interaction with God. One of the latest is my older daughter's obsession with "when" things are going to happen. For example, on any given day this summer, we are likely to have some sort of activity planned.

I might make plans for us to go to a friend's house to swim. So, some time prior to leaving our house, I ask the girls to get their bathing suits on, find their flip flops and towels, brush their hair, etc. But before any of those things are actually done, Anna is standing next to me asking, "What time are we going to go?"

And I respond, as I almost always do, "Don't worry about what time, just do what I've asked you to do. Then, we it's time, you'll be ready, and we'll go."

For Anna, the question of when something is going to happen seems more important than the little commands I've asked her to obey, because in her mind she's thinking, "What's the point of getting my swimsuit on and finding my towel, if I don't know for sure that I'll end up getting to swim?"

I may not like it, but I do the same thing with God. Thinking regularly, "What does all this little day to day stuff of obedience matter if it isn't going to eventually be about something larger and more worthwhile. How can I be sure all of my actions taken in faith will be worth it? When will I arrive at the destination?"

Yet, God responds to me the way I respond to my daughter, "Just obey. Then, when it's time, according to My plan and purpose, you'll be ready."

So I have to model what I expect of my own daughter. I listen to God's leading and directions. I choose to obey, even when the timing of what's ahead remains a mystery. And I believe that in His love for me, He will follow through. And it will be worth it!