No More Arguing

When Ava turned four years old, someone told her that she was now a big girl. Ava was pretty sure that being “a big girl” must also mean that she suddenly knew everything. And so it began… Every day that sweet girl and I had several unproductive conversations that left me aggravated and sighing, “Why am I arguing with a four year old? Why won’t she just accept what I say?”

One evening during our walk in the neighborhood, we had one of those moments. Ava called out, “Hello!” to a driver in a passing truck, and here is the conversation that followed…
Me: Honey, he can’t hear you, so stop yelling.
Ava: Yes, he can hear me.
Me: No, he can’t.
Ava: Yes, he can, because I’m yelling.
Me: No, he can’t. His truck is making noises that are louder.
Ava: Yes, he can, if the window is down.
Me: No, he can’t. So just stop and listen to me.
Ava: But…
Me: Stop.

Fortunately, the Lord is more patient than I am, but I have to wonder how ridiculous I sound when I argue with Him. Even if I don’t verbally question God, my action or my lack of action often reflects my attitude. Oh, all that wasted and fruitless time! What if I had simply and faithfully acted immediately on what the Lord said without pondering, questioning, fixing, or forgetting. While He is my understanding Friend, He is also my Lord. That means He is in the highest position, and if I’ve chosen to follow Him, then guess what? I should respond to His commands with immediate humility, obedience, and faithfulness, and with a happy heart because I love Him.