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Devotional

Lessons From My Run-Away Kid

by HEIDI J. SMITH OBEDIENCE Adult children overseas Protection & safety overseas Obedience
Lessons From My Run-Away Kid
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,”
1 John 5:3

Slamming the screen doors, my kids shouted, “Mom, we can’t find Judd! He was playing by the banana trees, but now he’s gone.”


I stopped seasoning the chicken and glanced at the clock.  


Where could he be? I just saw him a few minutes ago. The visiting team would be back soon, and I needed to finish preparing supper.


“Run next door and see if he’s there,” I hollered back while the electricity flickered.


Panic gripped my heart as I slipped on my sandals. 


We searched by the mango trees, our neighbors’ huts, and at the corner candy shop. But we couldn’t find him. 


After what seemed like an eternity, we found Judd sliding (on the only slide in town) at the nearby school. 


My four-year-old looked up into my tear-stained face and said, “Mommy, I didn’t ask you because you would have said ‘no.’”  


Disbelief, yet relief, washed over me as I thought, Of course, I would have said ‘no’ to playing alone at the school! You are too young, and I'm trying to protect you. But if you would have asked me to go with you, I would have said ‘yes.’ 


While Judd thought that asking for my permission would have stifled his fun, it would have in fact supported it.


How often do we do the same thing in our lives? We act independently rather than seek God’s guidance. 


We doubt God has our best interests at heart, and we believe our way is better than His way. We disobey even though God’s Word provides clear instruction for our protection and good.


“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” I John 5:3


Obedience believes God’s way is the best even if we don’t understand. It displays our trust and love for Him. 


We gave our lives to this mission, yet sometimes struggle with obeying in the smaller daily things. What areas in your life do you need to surrender to His loving plan? 


Obedience believes God’s way is the best.


Closing Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are always good. Thank you for your perfect love and grace. Thank you that you desire what is best for us even if we don’t understand and that you never give up on us even if we wander. Help us to trust and obey You in the big and small things. May our obedience bring glory to You. Amen.
Question for Reflection

1. What area(s) in your life is hard to obey? 2. What makes it hard? 3. How do you correct it?

Comments
Heidi J. Smith
May 21, 2021

1. I trust the Lord for my salvation, but I worry about my kids’ safety, friends, and choices. I also struggle with saying unkind words to my kids when I get upset.
2. My fear leads to worry rather than trusting God. I try to justify this by telling myself that everyone worries and that worry is a tiny sin¬–not like murder, adultery, or stealing. My unkind words are only spoken when my kids disobey continually. I look at their faults and ignore my own.
3. Worry is sin because it doesn’t believe God can take care of the situation. I need to replace my worry with prayer and trust. God desires my speech to be helpful not hurtful. I need to correct my kids in love. Losing my temper is just as bad as their continual disobedience. I need to remember the Lord’s grace with me and extend the same to them. I need to put off corrupt words and put on edifying words.