Comedy of Errors, or is it?

When my kids were growing up our house was a comedy of errors.  With four kids, three of them boys, we always had something going on (usually multiple somethings).  

Case in point #1

One day I remember hearing the boys in the living room and as soon as I realized they were wrestling I shouted, “you boys shouldn’t be wrestling in the living room near the antique hutch. That glass could easily…”  CRASH.  Yea.  That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout.  The glass could easily break.  My next words as I ran to the scene of the accident were always, “is there blood?”

Ergo, Rule #1 – NO blood.  

Case in point #2

My youngest son was convinced he SURELY had another family out there (who by the way had trees that produces money as a fruit) and he had just been sent to the wrong house.  

Ergo Rule #2 – Money does not grow on trees.

Case in point #3

All four kids would periodically remind the other three siblings, “I AM the favorite!”

Ergo Rule #3 – I love you all equally.

Having children made me realize why God has rules and that they are for our good.  It also made me realize why God DIDN'T’T make it so money grows on trees.  I came to realize early on that the more “stuff” my kids had they more “stuff” they wanted, plus they didn't have a chance to be grateful for what they had.  

Rule #3 used to be difficult for me.  I would talk to God and ask how He can love everyone at the same time all the time.  I used to think God gets mad at me when I mess up, but that’s not how it works.  Most of the time messing up for me was spilling my milk, or ruining a new shirt because I spilled something on it, or getting my shoes dirty. I came to realize God doesn’t care about those things.  God does care about me spending time with Him, recognizing Him as sovereign in my life, and turning TO Him instead of away FROM Him.  

Rule #1 still counts with God – no blood is better

Rule #2 still counts – if God had wanted money to grow on trees he would have made it grow on trees

Rule #3 still counts with God – He loves us all equally.

A comedy of errors?  Well, yes, quite a bit of the time that’s a little what it was like.  The good news is we laughed a lot (and we laugh about it even more now).  My youngest son did NOT have other parents, and I am really glad about that.  The boys grew up and at some point they stopped wrestling with each other and breaking things.  They still quip about being the favorite.  Now I tell them, it’s true.  I tell all four, well, yes I have to admit, you are the favorite.