Does this ever happen in your house?
Mom, I finished cleaning my room.
Are you sure?
Yep. It is totally done.
Would it pass my inspection.
Sure would!
Okay, I will be up in a minute to check it…
Wait! Let me just check it again…
Now, I have great kids. Their attention to detail, however…leaves a bit to be desired. Well, a lot to be desired.
I try to tell myself that they are just kids.
But it still ticks me off, I have to admit.
Then, however…I think about my own “chores” assigned by God…
Love your neighbor as yourself? Hmm…let me check on that…
Be a good steward with my finances? Hmm…did I really need that new whatever?
Feed the poor, take care of the needy? Hmm…maybe it’s not time for You to check on that one yet…
Honor God above all things, and love Him above all things? Hmm…
That really puts my kids’ behavior into perspective. I guess I need to cut them some slack, since I have been cut LOTS of slack.
Where is the balance, though?
In a recent discussion with my 11-year old, I told him that learning to obey me is training for learning to obey God. That is definitely true!
But it is also true that I am one of their first examples of grace…and sometimes as that model, I fail, and fail miserably.
There is an old hymn written by Fanny Crosby (http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/t/altheway.htm) that goes as follows:
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.
When showing grace to my little ones…to the world…my example should be that of my Lord. And, if I follow His lead, I will complete my tasks all the way, and help them learn to complete theirs in the same manner.
Thoughts of a Fellow Traveler: Daily Joy in the Journey 
Oh to follow the grace of God daily! Thanks, Liz, for reminding me, I am a child of God just like your little ones and He loves us completely wanting us to follow Him