So, you're wearing your Batman P.J.'s and think you're invincible...
What began as a "test drive" of the recently refinished chair quickly turned into an exploration of the front porch.
Slowly he inches his way...to the steps, of course. I wonder if he thinks I won't notice.
He has the whole porch to play on, so why is does he find the area surrounding the stairway the most interesting? Can't he play back by the house where it's safe?
Closer...closer...
He thinks, "Closer to freedom!"
I think, "Closer to falling on your head!"
What is it in us that makes us want to push the limits? Obviously, even from an early age we're trying to see just how far is too far.
I'm sure he sees the railings on the porch as an obstacle, but they aren't intended to keep him from having fun; they're there to protect him from falling. The railings don't take away freedom; they actually give it by allowing him to move about freely in the area where it is safe. Without them, he'd have even less space to move around in as the nervous adults surrounding him work to keep a safe distance between him and the edge.
Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. ~ Jeremiah 7:23
...that it may go well with you.
Did you ever stop to think that God gave us laws to live by, not to keep us from having fun, but so that it may go well with us? The world may tell us that we're missing out, but if you've ever gone outside of God's will, you know that the results are anything but fun. Sooner or later we'll realize there's a good reason why God has given us boundaries. God's laws are the divider between well-being and devastation, safety and harm.
What if we thought of His commands as a safety railing around our life, not restricting us but showing us the parameters of a secure environment? As long as we stay within these limits, we know we can move about freely and safely. Beyond them, sooner or later, we'll find trouble.
Of course, I wouldn't let my grandson play at the top of a stairway if I thought there was any chance of him getting hurt. He's too little to understand the danger involved. What you don't see in these photos is a protective grandpa ready to scoop the little guy up if he goes too far.
In life, God is always right there beside us. Sometimes He intervenes to keep us from harm, but often He does not. Because He loves us, He's given us free will. We're free to choose to follow his commands, or fall on our head.
Which will you choose?
Father, I thank you for your protection. I deeply regret those times I've failed to heed your warnings. Help me to obey your commands and remember that you always have my best interests in mind.
Lisa
Linking up with "Thankful Thursday", "Thought Provoking Thursday", "Weekend Whatever", "Spiritual Sunday", "Write on Edge", "The Beauty in His Grip", "Monday Musings", "Tell Me a Story"
I'll be sure to put up some barriers at the top of my stairs tomorrow; hopefully the little guy will know I'm just trying to keep him safe and not spoil his fun! Looking forward to tomorrow. After today's work day, I'm thinking the two of them will be a piece of cake! But I could be wrong...
Great message! Cute baby! How often do we as adults push our limits?
Good stuff and so true.
What a wonderful lesson. Love the way portrayed it. The pictures are darling.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Baby is so cute! What a lovely way to illustrate this message. Thank you.
Oh my, what a cutie! And I love the Batman PJ's. What a perfect analogy for us, as we remember freedom and limits.
Such a good post! Boundaries are so necessary.
Your little grandson is adorable.
God does set limits and often we push trying to go where he would not have us to go. He allows us freedom, and we may bump our head when we are strong willed. Not my will but thy will be done. Thank you for sharing an awesome example at Tell me a Story
Great pictures and post. I wrote about boundaries in the e-zine, Ruby For Women, in the July issue. It is a great Christian women's magazine. You can check it out.
Lisa...how comforting that the Lord gives us boundaries. How unpleasant when we ignore them and do our own thing. So glad you shared this at WJIM this week. Blessings
A baby is sure to light up any home, but knowing how best to accommodate your new son or daughter is key to a happy transition. Sure, your child is a little person, but don't expect Junior to pull up a beanbag and nosh on nachos with dad at all hours of the night. Nicoumalone