1) Flush the toilet.
2) Turn off the light when you leave a room.
3) Don't torment your brothers by chasing them with the fake blister you made in Grossology class at the homeschool co-op.
You know, stuff like that.
There are times when I get so frustrated, thinking that these things are so basic, so simple. Why do my kids have such a hard time remembering them? I'm not asking them to perform brain surgery. I'm asking them to follow a few steps that show consideration of others, not to mention keeping our home a pleasant place in which to be.
I know, they're young. But still. Flushing the toilet?
So, I was thinking about this stuff the other day. Why can't they just remember? I wondered. And sometimes they do. But often, they don't, and I'm left wondering if they hear me at all.
But in the midst of this, God spoke to my heart. And it went something like this: His rules are pretty simple, too. In fact, there are really only two of them. People think there are a lot more, but really, it boils down to two.
1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
2) Love your neighbor as yourself.
If I'm loving my Lord with my whole heart, soul, and mind, I want to obey Him. I want to please Him. Everything else falls into place, including the second most important commandment: to love others as we love ourselves.
So the next time I discover something unappealing in one of our toilets, I'm going to try to remember these things. God's rules are infinitely more important than the ones in my little household. Following His commands can make a lasting impact on the people around us...on the world.
And He's only got two.
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." ~Matthew 22:36-40
2 comments:
Oh Ms Mindy. You hit it right on. How I pray that we all keep clsoe in our hearts and minds what you so beautifuly expressed, with or without kids. The world would be such a different palce and I would be such a different person, if I only followed these 2 rules as I should. Thank-you so much for sharing! I appreciate you sharing so much!
Thank you, Mindy, for reminding me of what matters today. So often we get caught up in the little annoyances of life instead of focusing on the big picture.
Post a Comment