“Mom, I told you 16 times to make my breakfast!!” said a very grumpy little boy this morning.

I wonder what my face looked like??? I made him TRY AGAIN.

But then I thought, ‘Aren’t I just like this sometimes?? Can’t I be just like a child in my faith??’

I forget to say please. Or thank you.

I seem ungrateful.

So often I get exactly what I want only to change my mind about what I want or wonder ‘What’s next??’

I don’t listen.

I cry and throw tantrums.

I HATE to struggle even if it is good for me. Then in the very next breath I want to do it MYSELF.

I probably won’t ever Get What I Get and Not Throw a Fit!!!

And as a MOM, what do I do with this type of behavior from my kids?

I show up anyway.

I hug and cuddle.

I discipline and let them try again.

I leave them to struggle sometimes because I know it’s good for them.

I provide the things they need like food or clothing or shelter. And, most importantly…I give them all my LOVE.

I listen to their stories even if I’ve heard it a million times or their retelling feels like four years…but as they talk, I watch their faces and listen to their little voices and think, ‘Gosh I love him. He’s so CUTE!! I’m so glad he wants to share his stories with me!’

I love to make them HAPPY!!

I love to watch them succeed.

I am their biggest fan!!

I cry sometimes because I’m so GRATEFUL this is my job…this loving and caring and listening and disciplining and being part of their lives.

They are my JOY.

And you know what???

I’m guessing God feels this way, too.

Except God does it all PERFECTLY!!

He never grows impatient or sighs in exasperation or gives sarcastic replies or loses His temper…He’s God. He parents us PERFECTLY!!

He shows up for us.

He disciplines.

He cheers for us as we struggle because He KNOWS we can do it!!

He provides us with everything we need…food and clothing and shelter. And most importantly, His PERFECT love.

He listens to our stories even though we drone on about the SAME things over and over. He watches our faces and listens to our little voices and thinks, ‘Gosh I love her. I want more than anything for her to share her stories with me!’

He loves to make us happy and watch us succeed…He is our biggest fan!!

He is our Father and He LOVES this job. The loving and caring and listening and discipling. He wants to be WITH us. He wants us to share our lives with Him.

We are His JOY.

And I’m so grateful every day that when I inevitably falter…

He lets me TRY AGAIN