Long passage from Kisses from Katie that hit me For eight months, Gracie loved to take a bath. Then she turned three. Whoever named the terrible twos obviously had not experienced three yet. I dont exactly remember when it started. One day, she simply would NOT get into the bathtub. So I didnt make her. I let her get in bed dirty that night. The fight just wasnt worth interrupting everyone elses bedtime. But on the second night, I couldnt ignore her again. She really needed that bath. So we began the struggle and it continues to this day. Night after night, we go through the same motions. The scene unfolds like this: I ask Grace to get into the bathtub, to which she quietly replies, I dont want. I, in my kindest, sweetest Mommy voice, explain to her that she is three years old, that she does not always know what is best for her, and that she does not always get what she wants. I tell her that this is about her health and well being; everyone has to take a bath! She simply looks at me, not understanding AT ALL what I am trying to say. Not to be deterred, I try a different approach, saying excitedly, Come on, Gracie! Lets go play in the bathtub! At this point, she blinks her eyes very fast, and big crocodile tears begin to run down her cheeks, another plea for sympathy. When she sees that her tears are not getting her anywhere, she begins to shriek No bath, no bath, NO BATH! as if the water would melt her. I say it more sternly the next time. Grace. Bath time. I then lift her to her feet and practically drag her down the hall to the bathroom. Her sorrow turns to anger. She makes her best I dont like you, Mom face, folds her arms, and plops to her bottom. I DONT WANT! she shouts. So I pick her up. She kicks and screams, and eventually I get her into the bathtub. She flails around in there for a bit, letting me know with her wails that I am ruining her life and she may never be happy again. And then, a funny thing happens. As she splashes water on herself, she remembers: She likes the bath! The bath is fun. Not to mention a really great way to get clean. By the end of the scenario, Grace usually enjoys her bath so much that she doesnt want to get out of the tub. The bath time struggle never is about the bath at all. It is about obedience. Grace is three years old and she simply does not want to obey. She thinks SHE should be the one to decide whether she gets in the tub or not. She is three years old and she is trying to figure out just how much control she has in her little life. At this point, not much. Maybe I am a bad mother for not disciplining Grace more severely for her disobedience, but the reality is, little disobedient Grace reminds me so much of myself. I shudder to think what I could have missed out on in life because of my disobedience. I am so thankful that God in His grace does not allow me to win. Because usually, the fight is not really about what He is asking me to do. It is not about the bathtub. It is about me, trying to figure out just how much control I have over my little life. At this point, not much. I would like to be able to say that I always do exactly what the Lord asks of me. I would like to say that I always seek Him first when a difficult situation presents itself. While i am getting better at it, sometimes I dont. Sometimes I still think what I do with my life should be my decision. God asks, and reasons and encourages. He gently explains that I do not know what is best for me and that I do not always get what I want. And I just look at Him, not understanding at all what Hes trying to say. Sometimes, I even whine and sob and shriek, just like a tired, angry three year old. So God picks me up, exhausted from struggling, and plops me in the center of His will for my life. And then a funny thing happens. As I kick and scream and struggle, I remember: I like being in the center of Gods will for my life. Gods plan is usually pretty great. It is a whole lot better than mine anyway. I am so glad that He does not allow me to win. The more I strive to live in the center of Gods will, the more He asks me to give up, the more uncomfortable I become. He teaches me, over and over again, that He does know best. The bathtub, the uncomfortable places, they get only more difficult. But I am learning to remember, before I even get there, that eventually this will be what is best for me, and more important, what is best for His glory. Kisses from Katie Katie Davis Katie Davis
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 23:38:56 +0000
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