Pick up the toy. Pick up the toy. Pick up the toy. Pick up the toy.

If you are a parent, your blood pressure is probably high just from reading the title to this blog post.  You've been there.  The kid makes a mess and stands by, hands on hips, mouth firmly set in determination... unmoving... willful... If the hellion weren't so darned cute (obviously YOUR half of the genetics), you would have sold him to the gypsies long ago.  But here you are-- big, tall, strong (at least in comparison to this little rugrat)-- and it's your job to calmly and stoically repeat yourself ad nauseum until he realizes you're not backing down.

All this to say, Crap I'm that kid so much of the time.  I'm just glad that God does His job better than I do mine, because if I were God, Jaimee would definitely be a crispy critter by now.  I'm thinking it would be best to learn that "first time obedience" that I've read so much about but have a hard time enforcing... I definitely don't want God to start counting!  How about you?  Are you listening?

Psalm 119
^57-64 Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise
      to do everything you say.
   I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile,
      be gracious to me just as you promised.
   When I took a long, careful look at your ways,
      I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.
   I was up at once, didn't drag my feet,
      was quick to follow your orders.
   The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out—
      but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.
   I get up in the middle of the night to thank you;
      your decisions are so right, so true—I can't wait till morning!
   I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you,
      of those committed to living by your rules.
   Your love, God, fills the earth!
      Train me to live by your counsel.