I must admit I do it from time to time.  And it’s not always an accident.  Sometimes it is frustration…I just can’t bend down one. more. time.

Sometimes it is pure glee and (gulp!) malice.

The boys have left their Legos on the floor again…and I have sucked them right up into the vacuum.

Now, on the one hand, it seems really silly to do this.  Yes, they should not have left them out.  Yes, I am a busy momma and don’t always have time to pick up after them.  And, yes, those silly little pieces of plastic are expensive (often $50 for a set they really only want the special “guy” from).

But, dang it, how else can I teach them about stewardship??

Don’t get me wrong; I give plenty of warnings.

Boys, you need to pick up your rooms; I am vacuuming today.

Here I come…get the stuff off the floor!

Get. this. stuff. off. the. floor. NOW!

I am sure it works about the same in your house if you have boys (maybe girls, too…no experience with them here).

The people who live here have the nerve to look surprised…even irate when I cheerfully suck up heads, bodies, and (horror of horrors) light sabers and other weapons.

I try to be philosophical, but they just don’t care.  They have had their stuff eaten in good ole Mr. Dyson, and they feel violated.

I just feel frustrated.

Just pick up your stuff, I tell them.  Take good care of what God has blessed you with.

But they are not having any of it.  They storm off, muttering things I would prefer not to hear under their breath.

Deep sigh.

Dealing with these sweet, albeit messy, people gives me a bit of insight into just how awesome God’s grace is.

I wonder how many times I have just totally neglected any number of gifts the Lord has given me, leaving them lying around when He so carefully made sure they were given to me.

I wonder how many times I neglected that still, small voice that was lovingly bringing me back into the proper attitude and relationship with Him.

I wonder how many times I have neglected the huge, warning shout from my Lord and Savior and gone merrily on my way into sin…or into doubt.

And I wonder at the patience of a God who does not suck me into oblivion rather than deal with my sorry, ungrateful self any longer.

Another deep sigh.

Thank You, Lord, for loving me regardless of what a rotten steward I am with my life, and for being patient enough to continue to work to mold me into something useful!

My Lego problem may not be solved, but I hope I can be more philosophical about it, next time approaching it not with anger and malice but with love and patience.

Just like God does with me.

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. – Psalm 86:15