Earlier this year, I was playing with my grandsons in their rock and dinosaur garden which sits behind our condo near their home. This play area is one my wife created for them so they can use their dump trucks, bulldozers, skid steers, and backhoes to pretend they are building things. In here they have rocks, sand, and rubber mulch areas that provide a safe space for them to use for constructive play.

As we were moving dirt and sand, the three-year-old decided he wanted to fill one of his trucks with the heavier rocks before moving it a few feet and dumping it. I could tell that as he lifted each individual rock, filling the truck to the top of the dumping bed, the weight of the truck was increasing and would soon be too heavy for him to move and dump. I suggested to him that he might want to stop filling and “drive” his truck to the dumping spot (3 feet away) and return for another load. He looked up at me and said “Poppy, I’ve got this”. He was busy having fun and did not want to take my advice. Even when it was becoming obvious that he would not be able to move a fully-loaded truck and continue playing. But in his playful mind, he was in control despite my warning of “If you do this, here is what will happen”.

How often do I have the same response to God’s instructions. How often do I ignore advice and even direct instruction. How often do I say (directly or indirectly) “Don’t worry, God. I’ve got this”? And then how often do I have to ask for help in carrying the load. The work would frequently be easier if I would listen, slow down, and follow His advice and instruction. I find myself focused on the task at hand and do not listen to experienced guidance or follow wise instruction.
It looks like I’m not any different from a three-year-old. I haven’t learned much, have I?