blessings in obedience

The deal we made was pretty sweet.

Both figuratively and literally.

Bedtime was half an hour away, so there wasn’t much time to spare.

But if they’d take quick baths and be in the kitchen in fifteen minutes, they could have a slice of chocolate cake before bed.

Bedtime snacks are not the norm in our house, and especially not slices of chocolate cake. But every now and then I make exceptions, and I willing to as long as they upheld their part of the deal.

The terms were plainly stated, agreed upon, and by ten ‘til the hour, no one was in the kitchen ready for chocolate cake.

The deal was off the table. We were out of time.

There was a terrible weeping and gnashing of teeth as the announcement was delivered.

“You’re just trying to make the night easier on yourself!”

That wasn’t the intention. It was simply the result of personal choices that were made.

And as I tucked two tearful girls into bed, I reminded them that I still loved them in spite of their choices. That I wasn’t mad at them. That I, too, was sad we weren’t getting to enjoy cake before bed because I wanted a slice myself. But that tomorrow was a new day, and I wanted them to remember this truth: blessings are tucked into obedience.

Neither girl deserved a slice of cake. They’d done nothing to earn it, either. The offer had come about as a gesture of love and generosity because they both craved something sweet.

Yeah, but what about grace? I’m glad you asked.

Because grace is great. And we receive and give a lot of it around here. But sometimes, we tend to operate out of a mindset of entitlement, believing that grace also frees us from any sense of required obedience.

And that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Grace gives us what we don’t deserve, and mercy doesn’t give us what we do deserve. And God is rich in both. He never forces us into obedience, and He still loves us in our willful rebellion.

When we chose our own way, operating outside of His terms, we discover our hearts have misled us. There is nothing good to be found but rather a major pile of disappointment and regret. Yet when we choose to obey God, to live out His commands and keep His statues, we find great blessings in obedience.

Not chocolate cake, mind you. Instead, we find abiding joy and satisfaction. We find meaning and purpose and fulfillment. Peace that surpasses all understand. And we delight in His presence.

Tomorrow is a new day, friend. The choice is yours. And the blessings that await on the other side are yours for the enjoyment, too.