Growing up, I was a pretty compliant child. Now that doesn’t mean I didn’t “test the waters” or ever disobey. For the most part, my desire was to please my parents and make them proud of me. But there were times I had to exercise my authority.
I distinctly remember when I didn’t mind or was sassy and talked back, I would get a spanking with the dreaded fly swatter. I always teased Mom that it’s why I hated the color olive green – our kitchen in the 1970’s was gold and olive green. I can still see the wallpaper in those predominant colors. Mom would grab that olive green fly swatter when I talked back and swat my legs or bottom with it.
When I became a teenager, I remember asking her one day why Dad never did the spanking. She said when I was a toddler, he would pop my hand or my bottom, but as I grew, he was afraid to spank me, thinking he might hurt me. In his prime, Dad was 6’4” and had very large hands. Right now as I sit here and type, I can vividly see his hands. Those precious hands were used to build, create, repair and serve. They were skilled and gifted hands that the Lord had touched. He definitely used them to serve and minister to many.
Anyway, that made sense to me, and I was satisfied with the explanation. Not only that, but I think my dad had enough wisdom to know he didn’t NEED to spank me. Again, don’t think I’m implying that I was some perfect kid. Typically, I did as I was told. Both of my parents were on the same page with discipline and ran a consistent and tight ship. But Dad, in particular, had a gruff and deep voice. All he had to do to get me to mind was look at me and speak to me in that “I mean it” voice, and I would comply. Sometimes, I’d melt and cry. Bless his heart. I look back and think how difficult it must have been on him to raise an emotional and super sensitive girl! But I digress.
But when I became a teen, I recall begging him about certain things and not letting it go. One of the topics near and dear to my heart was my curfew. I was in the band and during marching season when we played for football games, I so looked forward to going out with band friends on Friday nights (after the games) for pizza and then back to someone’s house for board games, etc. My curfew was 11 pm. Most of my friend’s curfews was midnight or even later. Needless to say, I brought this subject up repeatedly to my dad. Mom wasn’t the type mother to “pass the buck” and not make a decision or say, “Wait until your dad gets home”. But when it came to this subject, she always deferred to him.
I remember trying to catch Dad in a really good mood to broach the subject. One such time, I was making what seemed to me very good points about why my curfew should be extended. Dad responded to my pleas with how he wouldn’t have to answer for being the father to my friends; he was only responsible for me. I knew to drop the subject. Another time when I kept on about this, I remember he responded and just said, “No. Because I said so. You don’t have to understand all my reasons. Nothing good ever goes on after midnight.”
There were other issues when I asked Dad, “Why?” His response was simple and straightforward, “Because I said so”. One such time (I don’t remember what I questioned him about), and I said in a snide remark, “When I get to be a parent, I will explain and tell my kids why.” Add to this disrespectful comment, the tone and attitude of a 16-year old girl who thinks she knows everything (as I was probably rolling my eyes as well).
True story. My first year of teaching was difficult to say the least. I loved my school; I loved my class of fourth graders. But my principal purposely tested me by giving me a VERY challenging group. I had veteran teachers patting me on the shoulder in the hall saying, “Laura, if you can manage this group and get through this year, it’s all downhill from here.” He was known for this type of stuff.
But one day, a boy challenged me and just asked a simple “Why?” to my reasoning. I didn’t miss a beat. I turned to him and without even contemplating or trying to come up with a detailed response, I said very directly and sharply, “Because I said so!” I couldn’t believe it. AT every turn, my dad or mom was coming out of my mouth!
And I can say that after having a strong-willed boy in Nathan, I certainly have used that phrase more times than I care to note.
My point?
What is God calling you to do, friend?
There’s no doubt in my mind you know exactly what it is. Have you obeyed? Are you arguing? Giving Him reasons why you can’t or don’t want to submit to His authority?
Maybe you haven’t even obeyed and asked Jesus to be your Savior. Why are you delaying? It’s the ONLY way to live freed up from sin and to have peace/joy in this life. But if you want to spend eternity in heaven, then it’s a must as well.
Perhaps He’s asking you to tell a family member/friend about Jesus.
Maybe He’s calling you to tithe, and you’re afraid to trust Him with your finances.
Is He asking you to teach a class at your church? Join the choir?
Teach a class at your church or lead a Bible study group?
He might be calling you to pray for someone or a group you don’t particularly care for…maybe a co-worker.
Has He told you to walk away from a relationship? You find it easier to ignore His promptings. You’re comfortable, but know there are many red flags.
Maybe He’s asking you to forgive someone who’s wronged you. And you keep telling Him the reasons why you can’t.
I could keep listing tons of different scenarios.
Think of Jonah. He thought he could run and hide from God. How did that work out for him? God ultimately won. Think of all Jonah had to endure. If he had just obeyed in the first place, God would not have resorted to putting him in the stinking, gross belly of that huge fish for three days!
By the way, God put all this on my heart for you, but for me, too. Lately, I’ve struggled with obedience in little and big areas. Don’t know if it’s laziness, lack of discipline, weak faith or fear of failure. In reality, it doesn’t matter. Bottom line. Disobedience is a sin.
There comes a time when we need to respect the God of the Universe and trust that His plan is best. He sees the big picture. He knows our gifts, and He knows how our faith can grow if we submit and listen to Him.
So quit telling God why you can’t! Stop with the excuses. Don’t be like Moses in this area. Think of the blessings Moses would’ve missed if he hadn’t answered God’s call to be the leader of the Israelites and the spokesperson before Pharoah.
Your arguments or excuses may seem reasonable to you, just like my arguments did for a later curfew. At some point, do it “Because HE said so”. When you consider that God spoke the sun, moon, stars, planets, animals, birds, fish, insects, etc. into existence, and fashioned you and me – and realize His character is perfect in every way — and the fact that He gave up His Son for you, that one phrase should be enough for each of us to obey.
All I know is I’m beyond thankful that I had an earthly daddy who commanded respect and knew he didn’t need to detail or explain his reasons. His phrase of “Because I said so” was in fact a statement that gave me security as I knew Dad loved me, wanted the best for me and was protecting me.
So many years later, I’m even more grateful Dad was wise enough to respond to me at times with this phrase. His “yes was yes” and his “no was no”. He wasn’t swayed by my pleadings or me trying to wrap him around my little finger. He was a discerning daddy who didn’t give into my whims. Oh, how grateful I am for this! He taught me not to whine when I didn’t get my way. And that his way was truly best.
Friend, Dad was a role model who set me up to be able to trust my Heavenly Father.
Now, my earthly father was far from perfect. But even if I didn’t like his decisions or choices at the time, even as a fickle, emotional teenager, I knew he had MY best interest at heart.
How much more is that true of Almighty God?
I am reminded of this verse in Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”
So…Quit fighting Him. Submit. Surrender. Obey. Do it just “because He said so”!
There’s such joy in obedience!
You’re only hurting yourself when you are a defiant kid.
As the old classic hymn goes, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
Laura's Lines 