My toddler whined and cried for the treat in my hand this afternoon. It was lovely. I told him to “stop crying” and only after he did, I gave it to him. If I would’ve given in to him in order to stop his crying (a bribe), he’d be on a fast track to becoming a Holy Terror that none of his siblings would want to play with. I try to stand up against bratty behavior. Which is to say, I’m smart sometimes but incredibly stupid at others.

Some traits are marks of an adult while other things describe children only. Responsibility, patience, and forbearance? These things show our maturity. Impatience and greedy-guts are for whiny children who deserve their just desserts.

The problem with me and my life is that I think I’m a mature adult but sometimes I walk around like a whiny baby. I don’t stomp my feet, throw tantrums, or cry in the middle of the grocery store. I don’t bang on the table and pitch the food I don’t like. I even stopped rolling my eyes like ten years ago.

The thing is, though, that sometimes I give in to my sin. Yet, when I do it in “grown-up” ways or invisible ways, I think that my behavior isn’t as ugly. My family didn’t see it, so maybe God didn’t either. I lie, steal, and covet all under the cover of darkness. Yet when I complain in my heart, I’ve complained with my mouth (which is usually the case anyway). I like it when God is everywhere when I’m afraid, but I’m not so great with it when I’ve sinned.

Part of living a life wholly acceptable and pleasing to God, or doing all things to His glory, is living it first in my heart. But what if you have to do the right thing when your heart is far from it? Part of growing up, as your mama used to say, is doing things we don’t like; sometimes we just have to bite the bullet. But these things are offerings. They beckon us to depend on God to change us. I don’t think it’s dishonest to pray, “Lord, I hate this. Help me to find a way to do it for You.” He is there—watching, waiting, and willing. He is a better parent to two-year-olds than I could ever be.

Small Crying Baby