Camp started this past Monday morning at 9am. Now... my daughter is usually still asleep at noon, so I knew that this would be a challenge for her. With my kindest, sweetest, and happiest voice, I went in to wake her on Monday morning. Argghh!! Not an easy task. She was in such a bad mood... I practically had to drag her in there kicking and screaming. I prayed all the way home that God would spark a love in her heart for volleyball. I prayed that she would fall in love with playing a sport and do well. When I picked her up on Monday at noon... her mood was just as bad as it was that morning. Yuck!! She hated it. Her arm hurt. She couldn't do it. Everyone else knew how to play. She was not going back on Tuesday morning. So...
Fast forward to Tuesday morning... same as Monday. Had to drag her in kicking and screaming. Again I prayed that God would spark a love in her heart for volleyball. Fast forward to Tuesday afternoon... same as Monday. This time... her whole body was sore. Her arm was killing her. She has a horrible bruise on her leg. She didn't want to go back on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday morning she could barely get out of bed. She was so sore. She begged me to let her stay home. She told me how much she hated it. She told me that she had no intentions of playing volleyball for her school. Again... I practically had to drag her in kicking and screaming. That afternoon when I picked her up, I asked the same question that I did the other two afternoons...
"So, how was it today?"
And much to my surprise... she said, "I loved it".
I couldn't believe my ears. I said, "What??"
She said, "yea, I love it. I had so much fun today."
I just sat there dumbfounded.
In my mind... I was thinking, "I thought you would... Why didn't you just trust me... why did I have to drag you there kicking and screaming???" Just then, I felt a prick in my heart... God said, "yea, Lynn, Why do I have to take you to a new place kicking and screaming... why can't you just trust me that it is for your best??" I praised God for His mercy and grace. I chose to show that same grace and mercy to my daughter....
I said, " Well, great!! I am glad that I made you go"
She said, "yea, me too."
Why is it that we fight God on change?? Fight Him on going to a "new place" with Him?? Why can't we just trust that He knows what is best for us? Things are hard sometimes... but God knows what we need. Sometimes we have to suffer some bruises and some soreness... but God knows the process that will make us more like Him. He has a plan for us... He knows what experiences we will need to be useful in the ministry that He has planned for us. God wants the same thing from me that I wanted from my daughter... trust, cooperation, participation, and a willing spirit. I think that I will have to change my attitude about change.
1Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared in give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
10 comments:
Oh the changes God has put on my life this year Whew! But that is my life verse for God to continually change me and he does...yes he has to whip me in shape sometimes but all for the good to get me back on track.
Being a former...very former (as in 20+ years ago) volleyball player this was good for me. God does just want us to be quiet and cooperate doesn't He? If your daughter sticks with it, she'll love it. I used to be on a traveling team. It was an awesome time in my life.
Yay! I'm so glad she liked it. You've got to let me know when the games are I would like to come and watch one and bring the kids.
Something about that day 3 that made all the difference in her world. I think this is true of us in our spiritual perspective.
Day 3 always brings perspective. Whether on the court of life or in the garden of an Easter tomb.
Thanks for sharing this story. I shall gnaw on it a little further.
peace~elaine
Loved this story! :)
Don't we all have to be dragged kicking and screaming at times! Sometimes in the physical sense, sometimes in the spiritual sense. :-)
I had a similar thought the other day when I was laying my grandbaby down for a nap... she cried and I said, "I am sorry, love, but it is for your own good. You need a nap or it will ruin the rest of your day!" She didn't understand, of course, she is only 9 months old. But, at that very moment I thought of God and how he must be saying the same thing to me these days. "It's for your own good, beloved!"... even though I cannot understand why we must continue walking through difficulties, I know He must have good reason for it.
LOL.. I can just vision you going in her room each morning to drag her out of bed. Wow I remember those days with my daughter *smile*. I know you must have been rejoicing when she ended up liking vollyball after all. What a sweet victory. I can so relate to this post along with my spiritual walk at times, I'm glad that the Lord never gave up on me.
I enjoyed my visit and thank you for sharing this.
Aloha Lorie
Oh, wow! Great post! Why must I kick and scream? I know God has the very best for me. But I guess those selfish desires kind of have a hold sometimes. Thanks for the reminder that "trust, cooperation, participation, and a willing spirit" is what God wants from us.
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
I definitely needed to hear this today; thanks for sharing this story.
Most every time that I am following God, He is dragging me kicking and screaming....when all is said and done I always think, "Now wouldn't that have been a lot easier if I had just cooperated in the first place?"
I am a slow learning, work in progress.
Thanks for sharing your heart!
God Bless,
Amy:)
Ouch, ouch, ouch Lynn! You're steppin' on my toes AGAIN. Well said, sister. Maybe this will come to mind next time I'm tempted to kick and scream and resist God's changes in me. = )
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