SICK!

My twin granddaughters were at my house last night when I got home and even though it has only been a short time since I last saw them, it seems as if they have learned a tremendous amount in that very short period of time. They are two years old going on thirty something and are simply amazing at how perceptive they are, even noticing the smallest things and how quickly they learn things now.

I have noticed that they try to emulate everything that I do. If I pull my shoes off and prop them up and cross my legs, they try to mimic it identically. If I take a sip of tea, and utter, “Ahhhh”, and rub my belly they do the exact same thing. My wife pulled a meat loaf out of the oven last night and I happened to be standing there. It looked disgusting and when I saw it I uttered, SICK! Both of the twins immediately said, “SICK!”, and of course continued saying it for the rest of the night. My wife was not amused, but I thought it was rather comical.

Children are definitely impressionable and as parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, or simply as observers in their general vicinity, we need to keep that in mind. I briefly mentioned this situation to a friend of mine this morning and he was telling me that he and his wife were really trying to be careful as to what they said in front of their grandkids and I told him that I was trying to do likewise. I suppose most people feel the same way. Did you ever stop and wonder why?

Why would we on occasion utter profanity, tell a dirty joke, watch an R rated movie or television show on our own and not think too much about it, and yet when around little kids try our utmost to keep our language clean, avoid any amoral issues and watch a big silly looking furry beast with a name like “Elmo” on television? I think we do it, because we love them and want the very best for them and we know that they do not need to be exposed to the human garbage of the world.

By the same token we begin teaching them at a young age to behave like little ladies and gentlemen and try to teach them right from wrong. Make no mistake about it children have to be taught the difference between right and wrong and it will involve discipline and yes even some form of punishment from time to time, even to those little sweeties with bluebird blue eyes that are so adorable. The Bible says that those who refuse to discipline their children “hate” them. Hmmm pretty strong language.

We are children of God. Would you think God has a double standard, as in He encourages us to discipline our kids, but He would take another approach? Of course not! God does indeed discipline His children. Does He do it because He is mean? When I look into those beautiful blue eyes of my lovely twins it is difficult to imagine having to discipline them, but I would do it because I love them, and not because I am mean; God is the same.

One example I can think of is that it is vitally important to teach a child that when you say, “No!” that they should immediately cease and desist whatever it is that they are doing and they need to be taught to obey that simple command at a very young age. Is this because I am a control freak and want unquestioned obedience to my commands? No, consider if one of them was trying to touch something that would burn their hand and I yelled, No!”, and they just looked defiantly at me and continued as if nothing had been said. They would be taking a trip to the emergency room.

By the same logic God gives us rules and emphasizes that there are consequences to disobedience. We need to understand that when God says, NO!” He means it and we should cease and desist and obey Him. If we are rebellious, then we should be prepared for the consequences of it. We need to look no further than to satan and 1/3 of all of the angels in heaven to understand the consequeces of defying our holy God.


God loves you and He loves me and He wants the absolute best for us and He will teach us lessons if we persist in defying Him. The Bible instructs us how to have a life of joy and happiness. I encourage you to read it daily to improve your lot in life. Start with the New Testament and find a time to read it each and every day and you will be amazed at how much it helps you with your everyday life and struggles. Unfortunately God chooses not to sit down on the bed and gently advise you on a daily basis how to live right and solve your problems, but He does make His word available 24/7 for your perusal and it will gently advise you on every matter of import. know too that He is always watching your every move, and listening to your every utterance. Importantly He prays for us in a manner that we cannot pray for ourselves. Yes God loves us and wants the absolute best for us. We just need to do our parts.

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in
our weaknesses. For we do not
know what we should pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit Himself makes
Intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered.