A number of years ago, when I was a part of corporate America, I attended a class at work called CASE Training. I don’t remember exactly what CASE stood for, but it was something clever, along the lines of “Cate & Steve’s Excellent Training.” The name was humorous, the class invaluable. I came away from the training with just ONE thing; one very important thing that has stuck with me all these years.
In everything, we have a choice.
Oftentimes, we feel as if we don’t have a choice in certain life matters. But they discussed how our society has become so victim-minded. Even the way we speak puts us in a victim mode. Have you ever said, “She makes me so mad!!” Really? How does she MAKE you mad? You might choose to be mad because of something she said or did, but truly, she doesn’t render that type of control over your life. That was the point that struck a chord with me. People don’t “make” us anything. We choose to respond – to people, words, attitudes, and circumstances.
As is often the case, I don’t always remember and implement the lessons God teaches me. One of his favorite reminder tools is my children. My younger son went through a phase where he saw everything through the lens of “it’s because so-and-so did whatever.” It was hardly ever his fault. So I spent a lot of time teaching him that no matter what others do or say, he has a choice in how he responds.
The funny thing is that God has this habit of using my kids to refine me. Oftentimes, as I’m lecturing one of the boys (it’s true – I do lecture them, or so they say), it’s as if God is repeating my words behind me and directly AT me. It knocks me right off my high and mighty soapbox. As I attempt to train my children in holiness, the Lord reminds me that there is still work to be done in my own life. I have a choice – I can choose to believe God and trust Him wholly or I can wander off in my own folly. Considering that He’s totally reliable, trustworthy, and faithful (among countless other things), the best thing for me is to choose to trust Him. Dabbling with my own ways and will is never right, never brings me joy, and most of all, will never please nor honor Him.
“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
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Great picture. Just the picture alone gave me chills. Love your devo – I’m about to have to make some hard choices myself…
Thanks for this Dianne.It is an intricate detail of parenting that Yahweh uses our own teachings to teach us his ways.
I pray I will always be teachable to them.
After all, as you pointed out, we do have a choice in all things.
Be blessed friend~
I often feel like God uses my children like sandpaper in my life. And it also seems that some of them are a higher grit, too!
You are so right about God using our own words to make us take notice.
Fabulous post, thanks for the reminder.
What a great post… I feel the same way you do – God teaching me through me teaching my children.
Excellent point, Dianne! My husband tells us the difference between reacting and responding frequently. He encourages us to do exactly what you said. Think and choose.
Amen!
I have also been told that we shouldn’t say, “I have to do _______” (fill in the blank). There is nothing that we HAVE to do, except we HAVE to die someday. That is helpful for me to remember when I’m feeling overwhelmed with all the things that I “have to do”. So, I guess I can say that NO, I don’t HAVE to, and no one can MAKE me. LOL! But, I can choose to, and be thankful for the responsibilities that God has blessed me with.
This is a great post! Thank you for sharing how God uses your children to discipline you. I would have to whole-heartedly agree that He does the same for me.