Recently, I spent the day with both of my two-year old grandchildren. Since they have different moms, I seldom see them together. The beautiful day was filled with bright sunshine, cool swimming, tasty ice cream and 2 two-year old’s saying “No”.  In case you are unfamiliar with two-year old’s, their favorite word is “No”. They say no to everything.  They even say no to things they want.  They enjoy swimming, yet they will say “No” to swimwear. They enjoy eating ice cream, yet they will say “No” to getting out of the pool.

Later as I was reflecting on my afternoon filled with “No’s,” especially one filled with so much fun, I couldn’t help but think of us a children of God. How many times do we say “No” to God? Do we say “No” even though a “Yes” will bring us pleasure and enjoyment? How many of us say “No” so firmly it is like a two-year old temper tantrum?  Before you say “No,” let me describe an adult two-year old temper tantrum. We say “No” so firmly we stop talking to God, we close our ears to hearing him, refuse to read His word, start skipping church and justify our reason for saying “No.”

All Christians can be tempted to say “No” to God; and I am sure we have all had temper-tantrums. They may not be the physical and screaming like a two-year old. Instead, they may be sulking and/or withdrawal. Just like a two-year old who needs the loving guidance of a parent to grow and mature; we need the loving guidance of our Heavenly Father to help us mature in our faith.  He will guide us to say “Yes” to Jesus and his teachings and say “Yes” to the  Kingdom of God (Matthew 5:1-12).

The Lord says, “My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding…you will understand how to fear the Lord and will discover knowledge about God.” (Proverbs 2:1-5).  Let’s be children of “Yes” to God and his tender leading to mature faith.