Have you ever asked a child to do something, once, then twice, three times.....? Have you ever said, "How many times do I have to tell you to........?" They say kids learn by repetition. Okay, I get it. We have to keep repeating the lesson of where your shoes go when you take them off and why you don't leave the sink running after you wash your hands. But, how about when you ask them to do something and the flat out say, "NO!!!". It happens.
It has happened a lot in our house lately. I fear the kids are testing the boundaries again. I have noticed it isn't just my kids, but all kids. Recently a friend come to pick up her child who refused to get into the car. I experienced a blank stare last night with our oldest after her Daddy asked her to please go read a book to her sibling. This morning one of the clan told me he would not help take laundry downstairs (unless I paid him in jellybeans!) When I just pulled into the driveway a few minutes ago 2 of my darling children refused to put their seat belt back on for the last 200yds. So.....I stopped the car and made them get up and walk to the house! What in the world is going on???????
How can we explain to our children (without screaming or spanking them) that they should listen? Here is what I am focusing on today with mine, and I pray it helps you too!
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1
as defined in the original Greek:
to Obey: to listen, to harken to a command, be obedient to, submit to.
Obedience means: compliance, submission; obedience rendered to any one's counsels, an obedience shown in observing the requirements of Christianity.
Romans 1:5, Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
Romans 5:19, For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
John 15:10, If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. " John 14:15
1. When you don't respond the first time you are already in disobedience.
2. When you respond, "NO", you miss the opportunity to obey all together.
3. When you do obey you get the chance to show God that you love Him.
4. When you do obey you show the person you listen to that you respect them.
5. When you do not obey you are responsible for the negative consequences that follow.
6. It is impossible to disobey your parents and obey God at the same time.
7. To stay walking in step with the Lord requires your obedience.
That precious bundle that told me NO this morning.....well, he sat on the couch until he was ready to listen. It took 45 minutes. Then he said, "Okay Mom, I will do it without the jellybeans!" I explained to him that he missed the opportunity to obey, because now the laundry had all been taken downstairs by his sisters. I told him that he missed a chance to listen to me and to show God that he loved Him. He started to cry and told me he was really sorry. I forgave him, gave him a hug, and told him there would be more opportunities to listen and love God today. Hopefully next time he will not miss it, but jump at a chance to show his faith by acting the first time.
