“So that whatever you ask the Father
in my name, he may give it to you.”
John 15:16b

I’m sure many of you have had a teenager in the house. You may have even been one yourself at one time. I find it interesting how they can walk around and be totally oblivious to a conversation yet have all the grunts and uh-huhs they feel is necessary to feign they are actually participating. Yet we all know it’s not hard to drop a line of total goof to prove they aren’t listening one little bit. They simply know the cadence of a conversation, as if it were a song, and they know their part by heart. They have no need for sheet music. Heck, they don’t even need to keep time. They got this routine down. Five minutes of conversation, and they haven’t heard a word!

I’m like that with God.

And that bothers me. Sometimes. Like today. Other times, not so much.

So, I’m looking at this promise of God’s today and wondering why I don’t pray like God desires me to. I’m too busy in my own little head to look up and engage in a conversation with Him, so I go through the motions. Like a teenager, I grunt as I move through the house on my way to wherever it is that I’m going.

Then there are times when our teen actually has a real conversation. What a blessing that is! Oh, how we long for these! They may be few a and far in between, but they are precious! I think they are as precious to the teen as for the parent. It’s probably that way for God, too.

I can get all twisted up about my teen in my desire to make “quality time.” I need to be careful about that, however, because I’m dealing with a teen. That’s the way they are. In a few years, things will change. Independence and autonomy are something that naturally develops. I went through the process, and so did everyone else. I can guide as best I can, but I must be careful not to discourage my teen.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Fair enough.

I wonder if God looks at me the same way, knowing the “phase” I’m in. I suppose so. Honestly, I fall into the mindset that I gotta do this or that to be a good Christian, that he expects far more from me that I give him. I’m probably just a teenager in his eyes. Yes, he’s ready to discipline me, if necessary, but, more importantly, he’s there to guide me through this stage.

All the while he loves me and is always there to have a meaningful conversation. If he loves me like I love my teen, then I’m in a good spot. Truth be told, he understands me much better than I understand my teen. I’m not just in a good spot, I’m in the palm of His hand.

Father, thank you for perspective. And, no, I’m not asking for anything right now. I’m just glad you’re there. Amen.

Copyright © 2020 Scott Powers