So my grandma goes to FL every winter.... her and pop-pop tow the camper and set up camp in the warm and sunny skies of Arcadia FL. They LOVE going down and getting away from the cold weather up north. I was talking to her the other day and she told me about a recent bike fall that she had in the campground. Pop-Pop bought a three -wheeled bike so that she could get out and drive around the campground. Its good exercise and an easy and stress-free way for her to visit with other campers. I love picturing her on that bike with her floppy sun hat and sunglasses crusing around the campground! It makes me smile :)
Anyways....she told me that they got a new bike. This bike is different then the other one and slightly bigger and of course handles differently. Pop-Pop had been telling her NOT to drive the bike unless he was around because he wanted her to be safe and careful and wait until she got really comfortable driving it. Grandma, being stubborn, didn't listen and decided to go for a little "ride" one day while Pop-pop was away. Well you guessed it; she fell. She is ok minus a few bumps and bruises and some hurt pride and a little embarassment. She was so frustrated with herself and kept telling me over and over how she should have listened to pop-pop!
As I was talking to her, I couldn't help but think of all the times my parents tried to warn me of something to keep me from hurting myself or being disappointed. I was so convinced I knew what I was doing and that their warnings were trival or annoying.... I was "hard-headed" and wanted to do things my way. The result was me ending up learning my lesson the hard way. Instead of just listening and trusting them, I did things my own way. The result wasn't pretty! I often-times ended up hurt and bruised or disappointed and confused.
Sometimes, we can't see a situation clearly. We are SO focused on the problem or the person or the situation that we have blinders on to the "real" and "clear" picture. We become "blind" to the solution and deaf to the warnings. We become stubborn and hard-headed and try to accomplish the task on our own. While these lessons help us grow and while some bump and bruises are good for everyone, I cant help but think about how God must feel when I ignore his warnings. How many times has he gently guided me away from the "hot stove" or encouraged me to not "follow the crowd" and how many times have I ignored Him and tried to do it my way! Oh the headaches I have caused myself!
I am tired of trying to rely on my own strength and my own wisdom to get thru this world. I am committed to developing a spirit that is committed to listening and waiting for God's warnings and God's wisdom. If I am patient and resolve to truly wait for Him, He will teach me and guide me away from the "hot stove" and the stubborn hard-headed self and help me grow into a humble and obedient servant.
When others try to warn me, God is there. When I am making a bad decision, the Holy Spirit is trying to help me correct my mistake before its too late. I have plenty of bumps and bruises and scraps and cuts that I could have avoided by just listening and being obedient and patient!
