Boomerang

I have a lot of sayings that I use with my kids.
Some are funny, and some are serious.
For instance, I get teased a lot by my family for always saying to my kids, "You are responsible for your own fun!" And years ago when the girls were really little, we'd tell them that it was "time for their butts to go to bed." It eventually got shortened to "It's Time For Your Butt!" And to this day, they know what it means!

Some things end up getting said more often to one particular child. In my middle child's case, we have some issues with obedience. Somehow, after 9 years, she still sees obedience as being optional. (But don't we all, sometimes?)
I'm sure she doesn't like hearing it, but my saying to her has become this: "Your job is immediate obedience!" And I have to say it all. the. stinkin'. time.

A few days ago, I may have lost my cool. (Maybe just a little bit.) I heard myself asking her, in exasperation, "WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE??? WHAT IS SO HARD ABOUT THAT???"

And suddenly, it hit me like a ton of bricks. My question had been flung out to my daughter, but it came hurling back toward me. I heard God asking me, "How do YOU feel about immediate obedience?"

WELL.

You see, sometimes that might be a teensy problem. Or sometimes a big one.

Here's a big shocker: I don't always obey. And if I do, I can't honestly say that it's always immediate.

Here I've been, flustered at my 9 year old's lack of comprehension about obeying immediately. And here I am, 35 years old, expecting it from her but not giving it to my holy God.

I'm trying to imagine what my life would be like if I took my own advice. Immediate Obedience. Every. Single. Time.

I am SO THANKFUL that His mercies are new every morning...... Great is Your faithfulness Lord, Unto me.