Originally published Sunday, 29 June 2014.
Truth be told, they hadn't seen their friends in a while.
As their friends came bounding down the hill toward our new backyard swing set, my children's excitement was palpable. It was then a race to see who would get up the climbing wall first. Or just how high a swing could go. Or who could master some new feat that their mothers quickly said "No!" to for fear of life and limb. They're boys, after all.
They happily made circles around the swing set moving from one activity to another. It was a joy to see their amusement. But there was danger too. Maybe it was the energy of the moment. Maybe it was the fact that there was so much going on. Or maybe it was because it was at the end of a long summer day. Regardless, they weren't listening.
"Watch out for the swing!"
My friend and I repetitively reminded the boys to steer clear of the swing path when someone was swinging to little avail. One by one they would cross the path en route to a new activity. They remained unscathed due to our efforts to halt the swing or swiftly usher them out of the way. Parents of little children know that this is a common occurrence. The swings are often the most coveted spot on the playground, but we have to be vigilant watching their path.
There's a lesson here for us too.
As adults, how often do we hear, sometimes repetitively, that something isn't good or safe for us, yet we persist anyway? Enter the bad habit, unhealthy relationship pattern, or unwise choices. When we were younger, maybe an adult took us by the hand and explained what wasn't safe. When we were older, maybe we listened to our Father's instruction in scripture. But for whatever reason, we have had trouble acting accordingly.
Make no mistake: God is your Heavenly Parent watching you on the playground of life. God wants you to enjoy all of the fun life has to offer - safely. God whispers instruction in scripture to protect you. God puts people in your life to take you by the hand and direct you. And God is always there to pick you up if you fall down and show you his love.
Just as I longed for my children to heed my wisdom, God wants the same for each of us. God wants to unlock the power of his instruction in our lives to pave the way for a better tomorrow. The trick is that we have to listen, and we have to trust him. God is giving us the opportunity to not have to learn the hard way through that trust. Maybe you've had some near misses on life's swing. God is calling you today to steer clear for good - and be blessed.
"For the Lord gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly" (Proverbs 2:6-7, NKJV).
If you liked this post, I also recommend Firm Legs to Stand On.
{Photo by Chris Yarzab at Flickr, Edited}
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