Trust and Obey

“Don’t look at me like that when I tell you to do something.” Lately, every time I tell Nathan to do something that he doesn’t want to do, he gives me a look. If you are a parent, you probably know what I am talking about, that combined look of disappointment, frustration and a touch of anger. He also gives the same look when I correct him about something. Usually, it concerns him being nice to Sophie.

I allowed the look for a little while. I don’t want my children to think that I want to completely control their lives. I also don’t want them to stuff or bury emotions or tell them how they should feel. However, I do want to train them to live by the Word of God, which says we should do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14). Apparently, Nathan has learned not to do either of those verbally, so he gives me “the look”.

I do insist on Nathan and Sophie being respectful, and this look was beginning to become disrespectful. Most of the time, it comes when he forgets (or gets side-tracked) and doesn’t do something I have already told him to do. He doesn’t like having to stop what he wants to do and do what I have told him to do. So I had a talk with Nathan about his new facial expressions. I told him that I never ask too much of him or tell him to do something that he is not able to do. I felt like the look he was giving me showed disrespect, and I wanted him to stop. He straightened out his face, and sighed, “Okay”.

It got me thinking. I wonder if God feels disrespected and dishonored when I get side-tracked instead of obeying him immediately. Does he feel disrespected when I obey but do it with far less than a happy heart? Through Nathan (and one of our recent Sunday school lessons), I am beginning to see this as a possible lack of respect for authority and/or perhaps a lack of trust. Nathan needs to show more respect for my authority as his parent by trusting that I know more than he does and am giving him instruction because he needs it. Am I showing a lack of respect for God’s authority as my Heavenly Father, God of gods and Lord of lords when I don’t obey him immediately with the right attitude? Do I trust that He has my best interest at heart? If I know His word, His character and His heart, I won’t have a difficult time trusting him or giving him the utmost respect He deserves. "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey."

This was written about 3 months ago. I’m happy to report that I have not received any dirty looks since then (at least not to my face).