Unconditional Blessing

Not long ago, my daughter asked to have two friends sleep over. I readily consented with the only instruction that she clean her room before they arrived. She promised she would and skipped off to make the necessary phone calls. As the date neared, I noticed that her room was not yet clean and reminded her of my request. She again promised it was on her to-do list.

Just hours before her friends arrived, I was disappointed to find her room still in disarray. Although I considered canceling her plans, I decided to extend mercy. Not only was my daughter looking forward to the night, but her two friends were as well. I did not have the heart to call and tell the friends they could not come.

Later that evening, one mother called to check on her daughter and tell her goodnight. Before hanging up, the mother asked if my daughter would like to come over to their house the following evening to swim. I explained that it depended on the condition of her room. I explained the situation and that I had decided not to continue pestering her to comply. I would simply wait to see how long it took for the job to be completed.

Needless to say, my daughter missed out on several opportunities because of her lack of discipline. It took several days, but she discovered her failure to comply with my request had resulted in an inability to participate in several outings with her friends. Her disobedience had a direct correlation to freedoms and experiences I allowed her to enjoyed.

My life often resembles my daughter's messy room. I can't seem to keep everything tidy and in order. I fail to make Godly decisions, I create turmoil in my relationships, and I simply fail to glorify and properly portray my heavenly Father. However, He has given me plenty of instruction. His instruction, whether written or spoken through a human vessel, reveals how to deal with and effectively remedy any mess. But, like my daughter, I do not obey as well as I could. Even then, I often lack the discipline to get the work done in a timely fashion.

How sad to think some Christians believe God deals with people in the same manner I used with my daughter. Fortunately, God cannot be compared to you and me. And in our human understanding, His ways are sometimes hard to comprehend

Many believe that blessings in Christ are based on obedience and discipline. Earthly fathers often withhold blessings when a child has disappointed or angered them. My heavenly Father is faithful even when I am not. He supplies mercy in great abundance. He does not wait for me to get my life in order before He extends grace, love and blessings. For that I am so very grateful.

But You, O LORD, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
Psalm 86:15