The Lesson of the Playpen
In our house, chores begin at 4. I'm not exactly sure why they got stuck at
that age, but that is how it is. Some children have moved into this routine
better than others - all of them have gone through a week or two of mild shock
at this crazy idea!
One child in particular thought it was about the stupidest idea she had ever
heard of and promptly decided she would simply not participate. I had already
decided she would. (I've been told God sends these children to "sanctify" us.)
One particularly trying day - we were cleaning our living room and this child,
as usual, was giving me great amounts of grief. Standard procedure is to have
them sit until they are ready to work - well, while she was sitting she would
play with our baby twins who were walking by this time. In order to keep them
from her so that the sitting would actually result in discipline and not just be
a time to get out of work and play with the babies - I decided to set her chair
squarely in the midst of the playpen. That took the fun out of it since the
boys could not reach her -she was facing the wall and they could not see each
other and so the babies quickly lost interest.
As she sat in the playpen pouting (I can still see this in my mind) and I swept
the living room (which SHE was supposed to be doing) - God said to me, "You are
just like that."
"What?" I said.
In the first place, the midst of the chaos of herding 6 children under 9 to do
chores is scarcely the place for deep talks with God. I was really taken aback.
But there it was again, over the noise of the vacuum and the babies running to
and fro - "You are just like her."
Ok - ever the curious one, I'll bite. "In what way God?"
He answered something to this effect, I remember impressions rather than actual
words. "You have purposed that your living room will get clean today. You
invited and even asked - demanded that she participate. But she will not.
Does that affect your plans?"
"Well, no - my living room will get clean."
"Exactly. And she can either participate and everyone can enjoy the day better
- or she can sit in the playpen. But YOU are going to accomplish what you set
out to do."
A great light dawned and I wondered how many days I had wasted sitting in the
playpen.
God WILL accomplish His purpose - with or without us. I have heard it put this
way - there are probably several ways for you to get from your house to the
nearest grocery. Some may be longer - but any will work and you will end up at
the same destination. God has any number of ways of accomplishing His purposes
- but be assured, He WILL accomplish what He sets out to do. Regardless of who
does or does not cooperate. This to me is quite a good thing as I stated
earlier.
In sending Christ it was NEVER God's intent that Israel be left out. They chose
that - and it broke His heart. He still has a plan for them. But noone - no
high priest, no soldier, no king - could thwart His plan for His Son. We humans
think we are so powerful - but we really are not. The only thing we have any
power over really is our attitude! Circumstances change, literally, in a
heartbeat.
Another great thought from Job is that NOTHING happens to us unless God allows
it. No - we aren't in control. But someone is! That is AWFULLY good news! I
would hate it if noone was in control - truly I would hate it if I were also. I
screw up too much!
These are just some thoughts and experiences I have had on my continuing journey
into knowing Him. I hope you have enjoyed the story and I hope it has helped
you think on this subject.
I hope to address the love issue in a later post.
