Only Jesus

My sweet, precious 4 year old came to me today and proclaimed, "I don't ever, ever want to make Satan happy and smile, only Jesus!"

and within less than 5 minutes....

...he said the word 'stupid', hit his sister, pushed the baby down and became defiant to his much needed discipline (& me, his disciplinarian:).

Once he (we all) got it under control...we had a talk (or should I say lesson).

I pointed out all the ways he had done just what he did NOT want to do. He and I talked about how easy it is to forget what we are supposed to do. It's so hard to choose the right thing when we are feeling mad, sad, tired, frustrated, etc. I explained that our feelings don't give us a 'free ticket' to do what we want. I am happy to say there was remorse. And not just from him.

Only I had not reached this place of maturity quite as quick as him. I have been in this place where I know I want only to please my Jesus. To make Him happy & smile. But I tend to think that my emotions give me this 'free ticket' to freak out just because my circumstances are 'bigger' than most. Well, I was reminded today by my little boy that Jesus IS the free ticket. And because of this....I better be on my best behavior because He deserves it! (Seriously, I wonder sometimes who is teaching who:)

Have I mentioned the 'funk' I'm in lately?....well, this lesson was very much needed. It has truly reminded me that circumstances should not predict my actions. That others have nothing to do with my relationship to my Jesus. And mostly, that only Jesus matters....everything & everyone else falls into to place if He has His place.

So I proclaim to you as my witness(es), "I don't ever, ever want to make Satan happy and smile, only Jesus!"

Only Jesus