I’m sure we’ve all experienced a scenario like this one.
A young child, trying to avoid her nap, asks to play with Play Doh before heading upstairs. “Please, please daddy?”
So out come a few cans of the neon colored dough, and the two-year-old begins squishing away. Her Dad makes a sun shape, and a few stars. Our little lady decides she wants to do that too. But it’s awfully hard for a two-year-old to make any shape look as good as her father’s.
Tension and frustration set in. “I can’t do it!” she wails. And before her dad can offer to help, several lumps of Play Doh go flying across the kitchen.
Gotta love those two year olds. Now what?
If you were the dad, what would you do?
1) Say “That’s the end of Play Doh. Time for a nap.”
2) Make our little miss pick up the lumps she threw.
3) Request an apology for throwing toys.
4) Listen to the little one’s frustration, give her a hug and tell her you’ll help her clean it up.
I’m sure you have some other really good ideas. But there’s one idea that I’m sure no one would suggest.
No one would tell the two-year-old “It’s okay. You can throw stuff when you get mad.” Because it’s not okay for many reasons. Bad behavior doesn’t mean the rules get thrown out. It means that more guidance is needed to find better ways to cope.
Our Father in heaven is the best parent there will ever be. He loves us all, no matter what we do. Whether we’re full-on happy, or having an epic snit-fit, his love and devotion never waivers. Just like the young dad sitting at the kitchen table.
I’m not immune from bad behavior. When I let anger get the best of me, God has a lot of options to calm me down. But, like our young dad, one thing he’s not going to say is “That’s okay. You can throw stuff when you’re angry.” Because he knows that’s not okay for many reasons.
My bad behavior doesn’t mean that his guidelines change either. He is God, ever the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He’s not going to lower the bar just because I’m pouting. Instead, he’ll teach me how to rise up and meet that bar again.
Good parents have patience, and don’t give up or give in when rules are broken. They don’t allow bad conduct just because it’s happening. And that’s a wonderful thing. They will ultimately nurture children who will understand how to deal with sorrow and anger. They will be able to rise up again.
And that’s what Our Father does with me too. His infinite patience and willingness to teach me the way of peace is a wonderful thing. He shows me how overcome, so I can climb out of the pit again, and reach that bar he’s set for me.
All because he wants me to rise up someday, and meet him face to face.
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Beautifully written. Stop by tomorrow and see what I got reprimanded for. 🙂 HOPE you’ve had an awesome weekend!
Hi Deb! Thanks! I will. I did!
Advent blessings to you my friend 🙂
Ceil
Great analogy, Ceil! Thank you for reminding me of our ever-patient, always-nurturing Father!
Hi Trudy! Thank you for your kind comments Trudy. I hope that I will always see the Father as the best and most kind parent ever.
Happy Advent to you!
Ceil
mmm … His patient steadfast consistent grace surely is a marvel, isn’t it, dear Ceil.
thanks for taking us there on this first day of advent.
how beautifully appropriate.
hugs, my friend. prayers, too …
Hi Linda! It surely is. I wish and pray that I can be more like him. That is my Advent hope!
Hugs to you too my friend. May God carry us safely in his arms from the first day of Advent to the first day of our Lord’s life.
Blessings to you!
Ceil
Yes I remember the tantrums and tears and crying like a baby when we played with Play Doh. Especially when my son could make lovely shapes and I couldn’t !!!
Seriously though. Even now, I tend to get into a real state when things go wrong – and I hope that God looks down patiently and forgives once more. A priest told me once: It’s OK when we get angry sometimes with God. He can take our anger. After all, He took all our anger on the Cross. We must realise however that we need to trust Him and ask His forgiveness.
God bless you Ceil. Another great post.
Hi Victor! Oh my, I am such a failure at Play Doh…I need cookie cutters to make my creations look any good at all.
Thank you for sharing what your priest told you. This Advent, I hope to be truly ready to reconcile with the Lord, and to accept his loving forgiveness. And then? Pass it on!
Happy Advent my friend,
Ceil
Sorry to come back again, Ceil.
A priest I know, Father Francis Maple, has just launched a new website where he publishes a sermon each day. He is here: http://fatherfrancismaple.co.uk/content/
The sermons are at the bottom of the page. You may wish to visit.
God bless.
Come back anytime Victor! Thank you for the link, I’ll check it out for sure.
It’s so true isn’t it? That He is always patiently and lovingly teaching us to rise us up. And this makes me think of a word used in my pastor’s sermon today several times. Edify = to build up. Not only does He teach us to build us up, but He wants us to help build others up as well . . . like our children. Did that make sense? 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Ceil.
Much love.
xoxo
Hi Beth! Sure, that makes a lot of sense. We should model our behavior after God. If he wants to build us up, we should do the same for each other. It’s a wonderful concept really.
I did have a great Thanksgiving! We had a houseful and it was a lot of fun. It seems very quiet today 🙂
Monday blessings,
Ceil
The parent who disciplines the 2 year old for throwing the playdoh has her best interests at heart and knows that in the long run, she will be much happier if she learns at a young age what is appropriate behavior. God, in his love and wisdom, applies the same to us, knowing that what is best for us is to learn from the experience. Good post, Ceil!
Hi Pam! I know that I can relate to the two year old way too often. It’s frustrating to learn the lessons I need to learn to be a better person. But…no throwing, no temper-losing allowed! It’s all a journey, and I am just beginning to see how long it takes to learn those lessons in patience.
It’s true, I will be happier knowing what appropriate behavior is. I like the way you said that.
Monday blessings!
Ceil
Great post once again dear Ceil! It is tough sometimes for earthly parents, isn’t it? But God, wow. Nothing is tough for him. Praise His Name. Blessings to you and your loved ones as you prepare for Christmas. Not sure I’ll visit much as I’m keeping so busy these days and don’t want to frazzle myself 🙂
Hi Joyful! Good for you to know that you need to keep it simple. I will miss you, but I’ll know you are doing what you need to do to stay healthy.
I read somewhere recently that God has to only wish something to make it happen. Yes, he is very powerful and very loving. A great combination! I think that’s something all parents strive for too.
Have a blessed week my friend,
Ceil
The perfect parent. So unlike me. The patient parent. So unlike me. The loving parent. Well…I try on this one. 🙂 But I am so glad I have a Father who loves me unconditionally. So much so that when I throw a tantrum, He loves me anyway.
Hi Bill! We could be twins. I am not much like the Lord either, but I do try. I think he appreciates the effort anyway. I’ve thrown my share of Play Doh, but he is always so patient with me.
Hope your soreness is gone? You did great things on Thanksgiving my friend,
Ceil
Beautiful! We have an amazing Father!
Hi Lux! Thank you for your comment 🙂
I agree completely. Who else could love me during my snit-fits but my Father? May I grow to be more like him day by day.
Blessings,
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
After some again, here I am blogging again. Nice to read your walk with God.
I am glad that our Father is a forgiving God, but not allow us to do wrong things. That is what I call real love.
Hi Joy! Welcome back to blogging! I’ll be over to visit today.
We are so blessed to have the best Father of all. No matter how I act, he is patient and leads me to the right place, to do the right things. I hope I always follow.
Monday blessings!
Ceil
I’m so glad for His patience even when I’m having an “epic snit-fit.” (Love that phrase!)
It takes a life-time of learning to react to circumstances like He wants us to. I’m glad He gives a re-do when we mess up … in the form of another opportunity to do it right!
Hi Jerralea! I’m so glad you said that! It’s going to take a lifetime to learn about his loving ways…and a lifetime to try and be like that too. So patient, so clear, so encouraging. I’d sure like to be like that!
I love the ‘do-over’ too. He has such hope for me 🙂
Monday blessings my friend,
Ceil
Just this past week God reminded me that part of His loving me is discipline.
Discipline isn’t fun…just ask my 3 year old who is testing boundaries and trying to gain independence that he isn’t ready for yet.
God showed me through my son how I sometimes act. It was humbling to realize I’m not as “mature” as I’d like to be but no matter how I act, God loves me- just like I always love my son.
It’s amazing to know we are loved by God, no matter how we act!
Hi TC! You are in the thick of seeing the Fatherhood of God with your little one! It isn’t fun, but you’d never back down from what’s right, and neither does our Lord. And always loved right through it all…how blessed we are.
Hope you had a peaceful day!
Ceil
I am more prone to “hissy fits”—pretty sure they are synonymous. Thankful He love me so much–he takes the time to correct me. The easy thing–as with parenting is to ignore the bad behavior. Easy does not grow us up. Great post—good and wise words, Friend!
Hi Lulu! No, easy doesn’t help me grow sadly. Wish it did! But I know that God is nothing but consistent, always knowing what’s the best thing for me. I am so blessed to have the best Father in my corner, well, in everyone’s corner!
Thank you for your kind thoughts Lulu. Hope you have a peaceful evening,
Ceil
Such a lovely post and a wonderful reminder Ceil.
I’m participating in a Bible study: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and it has taught me that these emotions, feelings, and frustrations are OKAY! God doesn’t want us to suppress them, He wants us to release them… to Him! So often, we bottle things up, and try to play the “good Christian” role but it never works and we end up blowing (and throwing playdoh or whatever else is laying around)! This behaviour then puts us on a downward spiral of frustration and guilt.
Release to God. Yes! He is such a good and patient parent.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! I had a wonderful Spiritual Director who told me much the same thing. Stuffing feelings down only makes them grow or fester. Let them go and give them to God.
I like the way you said explosive behavior only makes for sadness and guilt. I am really good at that…I need to stop in my tracks and let God heal. He’s really good at that 🙂
Monday blessings,
Ceil
He always has the most loving response, doesn’t he?
Happy Week!
Jen
Hi Jeanette! Yes indeed he does.
Hope you had a peaceful day 🙂
Ceil
“His infinite patience and willingness to teach me the way of peace is a wonderful thing.” Amen! How often I have to remind myself of this when my little ones are throwing their tantrums. I need to be quicker on my patience!
Thank you so much for all of the prayers for Sarah. They are greatly appreciated! May God bless you for your kindness!
Hi Patty! It’s my honor to pray for your daughter. I hope she continues to heal and that the new glasses will help.
I need to be quicker with my patience too. Well, I get a chance to practice every day. God is good that way!
May he bless you and yours this cold night,
Ceil
Wow, talk about a good lesson that was much-needed! Thank you, Ceil, for “stepping on my toes” because I needed this.
Have a beautiful week, sweet friend. Hugs to you!
Hi Stephanie! I’ll join you in the toe-stepping line my friend. I know I had plenty of times I could have used the grace God gave me to be patient. I pray that I will get smarter at doing that.
Have a wonderful day 🙂
Ceil
Hi Ceil! I absolutely love your article because it speaks volumes to me. I sometimes laugh at my tantrums after I’ve had time to think and then I’m so grateful that God doesn’t freak out and abandon me in the midst of it all. He is so patient, loving, and kind, yet firm as you mentioned. I’m learning to rise up and meet the bar, but I’ve noticed the bar continues to get higher. It’s His plan.
Hi Marilyn! You are so blessed to see your bar getting higher! I love that. God gently urging you to be closer and closer to him. What a joy!
Yeah, I’m the one that freaks out, that’s for sure. I don’t have a model for that in Christ, so may he help me keep my peace. The peace he offers me every day.
Blessings!
Ceil
That’s right Ceil, growing up in the Lord is much the same as growing up physically. We have to learn God’s ways in order to be like Him, and we have an excellent tutor, who is also a counsellor and a comforter. He never ceases to amaze me, and the more I learn His ways the more I want to let go of my own.
God bless
Hi Brenda! It’s so good to have a God so close to us. And so motivated to get us on the right track. He never settles for half way either, thank goodness! He wants us so close to him, and he does keep inching us in that direction.
It is amazing, you are so right 🙂
Have a wonderful Tuesday,
Ceil
He’s so gracious toward us, isn’t He? I’m reading The Shack again, and am so touched by the depiction of such a loving Father who extends grace and forgiveness beyond what we ever deserve. When we really really get hold of that image of Him as a patient, loving Dad who helps us overcome, trusting Him becomes a little easier.
Hi Crystal! I remember reading that book too. I really like it!
Knowing more about God does help me understand that all he wants is for me to be happy, no matter what. He’s got the plan, not me. I have to trust that he’ll give me all I need. And that he has infinite patience with me too. (Which is a great thing!)
Have a wonderful Tuesday 🙂
Ceil
Ah… well isn’t THIS timely, Ceil! Wow. I have been dealing with some pretty destructive anger lately… and I keep praying through it all. My most passionate prayer of peace from within and without… I am digging deep to cling to my Father’s Grace and lessons… How much do I sacrifice? When do I say enough? Where does God want me in this storyline that seems to go on forever with abuse and dysfunction? I want to be cleansed of it all. I need to be. I feel His protection blanketing over me… as I wait patiently for a purpose in all of it.
I pray that I can rise to that bar as well… and when I face Him, oh how I pray I have done right by Him.
Hi Chris! I know you’ve had some stressful times lately, and I’m so sorry for your troubles. Who can blame you for being angry? Certainly not me, I’ve been there myself. But it is just astounding how much we are loved and cherished and cared for by our Father. No matter what we say or do, he’s always there. So patient and loving.
I’ve hurled my share of Play Doh, that’s for sure. Thanks be to him who doesn’t say ‘that’s okay, go ahead’. He wants more for me.
I know he’ll protect and bless you my friend. And you are in my prayers, and many others too.
Hugs,
Ceil
While we were still in the hospital after giving birth to our first child, our pastor stopped by. I can remember him making a comment about how now I would understand more about the fatherly love that God has for me. It seemed like an odd comment at the time, but now I can absolutely see what he meant!
I’m also reminded about a comment a friend made: how discipline is the tough thing to do. The easy, tempting thing is just to not worry about it. To go on pretending we didn’t see anything. But disciplining effectively takes effort and energy.
Hi Loren! It’s true, I think discipline gets a bad rap. In the bible it says that a father who loves his son disciplines him. Not with anger or pain, but with the right way to go.
Sounds like you have a really wise pastor!
May we all be blessed with effort and energy to become the best people we can be.
Blessings,
Ceil
I am so grateful for God’s love and patience. I’ve thrown some Play Doh over the years (more figuratively than literally, lol) and am thankful that He continues to work with me still. 🙂
Hi Karen! You and I could have a Play Doh throwing contest! But no, that’s in our past now. Hopefully, we are getting better at reaching that bar God holds for us.
Nice to see you today 🙂
Ceil
Our Heavenly father is the best role model of a parent because of His patience, His ability to teach us with love and the willingness to do it day after day. I love your connection to a two year old and the tantrums that immediately flare up. It doesn’t matter how old we are, we still feel that occasional time of pushing back because we just don’t agree. Beautifully said and illustrated! Hugs friend!
Hi Mary! I agree that our heavenly Father is the best father ever! Every morning, his grace is renewed in us, no matter what. I really have to strive to be like that.
Pushing back. Yes! That’s a great image for the Play Doh flying through the air. God give me the grace to see the goodness in what you do.
Nice to see you today 🙂
Ceil
Ceil,
Oh, my, you brought back memories of that time…Yes, God doesn’t change his standards, but He also sympathizes with our frustration and that is what I wish I had done more of with our girl when she was little…like this one book said about connecting then correcting, and I think God does that with me…and I’m grateful 🙂
Blessings to you,
Dolly
Hi Dolly! With age and experience comes wisdom, that’s for sure. I’m certain that I wouldn’t have won “Mom of the Year” as a younger mother. It’s very challenging! We all try our best, and have to rely on the Lord to grace us and our children each day. One of the other commenters said that it takes a lot of courage to discipline, and that is true too. I’d be a lot easier to just let it all go, but then our kids wouldn’t learn much about patience.
We do have such a great leader in God. What a loving and patient Father he is! As I get to know him better (and it will take my whole life and then some to do it), I see the wisdom in connect and correct, as you put it. Love first. Then it all falls into place!
Thank you for visiting today 🙂
Ceil
Children teach me so much about life! Your illustration is a perfect one. God cannot ignore bad behavior. I love that He desires that we grow up in Him and become mature. As I look back over my walk with Him, I have stumbled many times. And yet He loves me and disciplines me. As I work with preschool children each day, I learn so much myself. I think of original sin. Nobody teaches a three year old how to sin. They know it automatically. Some have more strong wills than others. As I try to discipline each one with love, I am reminded of how God disciplines me …in love.
Beautiful reminder Ceil!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Hi Debbie! You really do have a bird-eye view to children’s behavior. They really do mirror us, don’t they? And just like you, as their teacher, can’t ignore bad behavior, neither can our Father. You have the key though, doing it all with love. That is being Christ-like!
Thank you for your kind words about the post. Have a wonderful Wednesday 🙂
Ceil
So thankful for God’s never ending patience with me…who often acts like a two year old. He loves me so much He doesn’t seem to mind…He just scoops me up into His loving arms and calms my troubled heart and soul…and helps me to grow into maturity in Christ in the process.
This was a wonderful reminder of the constant love of our Savior for His troubled children. Thank you.
Hi Pam! I love your image of being held in God’s arms. Even when I am kicking and screaming like the toddler I can often be. What a wonderful Father. He does want us to be like him, both for our own souls, and for the joy of others.
I hope this Advent Season will see me grow just a little bit more in my heart.
It’s always lovely to see you my friend. Have a peaceful, joy-filled day,
Ceil
Such a great message, Ceil. We need this love and disciple from our Father in order to become better disciples in His kingdom. It’s too bad more parents today don’t see disciple and responsibility as a good thing. (speaking here of the new age style of parenting where free expression [yelling/no respect], not saying no, and there is no chores and responsibility)
As this has become slack through the decades, we can see where many other things in society also start to break down as a result. We need to follow our Father’s lead. He always knows what is best for us.
Hi Kim! I have read that the root of the word disciple is discipline. To follow the Lord I know I need to be aware, and to overrule a lot of my own emotions. I have thrown my share of Play Doh in the past (metaphorically!).
To promote peace, we should all be aware of each other, and the rights of others too. Hard to that if we are not taught, you are so right.
Have a peaceful evening my friend!
Ceil
yes gotta love those two years old. What a delightful illustration and great reminder that we are toddlers in God’s sight – loved and understood. Accepted as we are. I think this post will stick with me, Ceil. Thank you for this gift.
Hi Jean! Constantly in kindergarten, that’s me! Thanks be to him who still wants me with him. What love.
Thank you for your kind words,
Ceil