STRIVING TO PLEASE THE FATHER

Today was the day that I have been dreading for six months...Braden and Caleb's second trip to the dentist.  I probably do not need to tell you why I was dreading it because I'm sure you figured out by my opening sentence that their first visit was not the most enjoyable.  And if clarification is needed, by me saying that "their first visit was not the most enjoyable" I mean to say that I would have rather brushed my own teeth with a broom used to pick up trash at an amusement park.


We have been building them up for this day for a few weeks now: having them practice opening their mouths really wide; closing their mouths to "bite" for the dentist; telling them that the dentist would be proud of how well they have been brushing their teeth.  You name it, we probably did it.


So, we drive to the appointment, we build them up some more with the promise of good things to come after they do so well, they march in to the office ahead of Heidi and me with a look of determination on their faces.  And I knew without a shadow of doubt that things would absolutely fall apart the minute we walked inside.


And that got me thinking...our Heavenly Father knows us that well, and knows how we are going to fail Him each and every day.  Yet He keeps encouraging us to do better.  He keeps pushing us to do better, to be better, to be more and more like His Son.  No matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, it can be better.  You could spend more time in prayer, more time in the Word, less time thinking about or doing the things that you know do not please Him.


You know what?  My boys surprised me with how they did at the dentist...Caleb in particular.  He did not want anything to do with the tooth tools at first, but after that he was doing it just like we had practiced at home.  He did great.  I was surprised and very pleased.


I know we cannot surprise our Heavenly Father with His whole omniscient thing, but we certainly can please Him.  Matthew 5:48 tells us that God wants us to be perfect like He is perfect.  "Whoa!  That's a tall order.  Can we even get there?"  I don't know...but that is something for which we should strive.