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But I'm doing something that makes you happy...a lesson in disobedience.

My oldest son has a strong mind and a loving heart.  He loves to do things that he knows will make his dad and I proud.  His love language is definitely Words of Affirmation.

One day I asked him to go to his room and read two books.  Grudgingly, he went to his room and I went about my daily tasks.  A little while later I noticed him come out of his room, go get the vacuum and take it back to his room.  A few moments later he came out of his room, put the vacuum away, came back and said "Mom, come look at my room.  It is all clean."  As I looked into his room, he was right.  It was cleaner than I have ever seen it.  I told him that he did a great job and I really appreciated all the effort he put into cleaning his room.  I then asked him which two books he read.

He proceeded to tell me that he didn't read the books because he was too busy cleaning his room for me.  I told him that while I appreciated his clean room, it is not what I asked him to do.  He said "But I thought it would make you happy."

This interaction with my son caused me to think; how many times in my life have I done something that I think would be pleasing to God in order to avoid doing what God has told me to do.  How many times have I knowingly disobeyed.

Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.  Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. Blessed in the man who listens to me... Proverbs 8:32-34

I know that there have been times God has asked me to work on a particular area of my life or mend a relationship that has been broken and instead of doing what he asked, I would read my Bible more, serve in an area of need, spend more time teaching my children or being a better homemaker.  I know that those are things that are pleasing to God, but that is not what He was asking me to do.

Lord, I pray that I stop doing what I think is pleasing to You and start doing what You are asking me to do.

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