Kingdom moments: Buckling up

Car seats ready. One little one buckled, but the other is still trying to learn. Untwisting the car seat arms...  "one arm, two arms, do you want me to help?".. "I can do it" she says. And so I wait. Yes, we were in a time crunch, and yes, it would have been more efficient for me to just buckle everything for her.  She struggled but she kept persevering… until she got it. And there were moments as we went in and out of the car that she needed me. But she didn't give up. She wanted to learn. She needed to learn.

As I waited each time thinking about how easy it would have been for me to help her--- He reminded me that His kingdom isn't about efficiency. And then instead of anxiously waiting for the buckles to be done… I soaked it in as this sweet one floundered, persevered, grew. I was able to rejoice with her as each buckle was fastened (there seemed to be soo many), and a smile of triumph swept across her face with each victory! I found myself cheering her on, coaching her along the way.  It took soo much out of her-- what felt like all her strength to get that thing buckled.  And I could have taken over at any point--- but I would wait until she asked for help.

How much more does our Father do that for us?? We see in Scripture so often that His people wait.  Have you ever thought that He really isn't being cruel in our waiting?? I wasn't being cruel by not fastening it but giving her an opportunity to grow. (I'm glad my parents let me learn how to buckle my seat belt it wouldn't work real well if they hadn't )

We are just like that toddler trying to put our seat belt on and He is right there... counseling us, guiding us with His eye upon us.  Just as I wanted to help this little one and had to restrain myself from helping her--- how much more does our Father-- the one who loves us perfectly--- long to be gracious to us-- therefore He waits on high to have compassion on us. For the LORD is a God of justice! And there were times when I did have to give a little nudge, and in the midst of our floundering He gives us our manna. Our daily bread-- just what we need. And sometimes His no's  in the moment are meant for a greater Yes.

 I am thankful that efficiency isn't always how He works!! Sometimes His mercy is allowing us to flounder.. sometimes He is exercising our faith muscles so we can know Him more. So we can grow into mature manhood (womanhood),to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. And just as a smile swept across her face as she floundered and triumphed throughout that day.... we can also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation bring about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. And we can remember that efficiency isn't always how this whole walking with Jesus thing works.