I have a love-dislike relationship with the
month of May. You see, I absolutely LOVE
to garden. As soon as we get a day or
two of warm weather, I am outside digging in the dirt. I get really excited and want to plant all of
my seeds and starter plants so I can harvest delicious vegetables as soon as
possible. You know the problem
though? The weather in May is fickle,
which means that it changes a lot. One
day it might be sunny and 80 degrees and the next day there could be snow on
the ground. One week it could be
beautiful and the next week we have tornadoes and torrential rain and wind. I have had to learn LOTS of patience over the
years when planting my garden. I have had
to set-up a few simple rules for planting, and it is tough to stick by my rules,
especially when the weather looks beautiful.
The rules I have made for planting help to make
sure I don’t waste seed or time and also help to ensure my plants are healthy
and survive the fickle May weather. It’s
hard to hold off planting things sometimes, but after years of experience, I
know it is better to wait and have beautiful crops, then to work twice as hard
and end up with a very small harvest or none at all. In other words, my love for gardening has been
teaching me patience.
Life is like this too though. As you grow-up, your parents will set-up
rules to help you along the way. Those
rules are meant to protect you, keep you safe.
You will sometimes feel like disobeying your parent’s rules because
something looks fun or you just want to try it, but remember, your parents really
do know best. They were kids once and teenagers and young adults, they have had
to learn the same lessons you are learning now.
In Corinthians 13:4-5, it says “Love is patient
and kind: love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not
irritable or resentful;”
Always remember this, your parents love you
above and beyond all else. Don’t get
impatient with growing-up and having rules.
Love your parents back by listening and obeying their rules, even when
you don’t really want to obey. Just like
the bountiful harvests which I get to reap because of my patience and following
simple rules, you will get to experience great things in your life by following
the rules and path your parents set-up for you. Be patient and love your parents through
obedience.
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, thank you for allowing us to come
into your house of worship on such a beautiful morning. Thank you for blessing these children with
adults who love and care for them and who set-up healthy boundaries. I pray that each one of these children are
able to see the love which is given to them.
Guide them along their path. We
love you and praise you, in Jesus name, Amen.
