Excited About Correction

This wasn't going to be what I wanted to post about but I just couldn't help it.

Our youngest son is getting braces on Wednesday. He is 9 years old and might be in braces for a few years. Despite that, he was excited about it. He went to bed Tuesday night excited. He woke up excited and even now, he is excited about it. He only had the first four brackets placed and he almost can't stop smiling.

I'm not about to squelch his excitement. We have discussed the things he has to give up like soda, most candies, popcorn...you know the stuff that most kids like. But that was "okay" with him. He just wanted to "have" braces.

He thinks it's so great. He doesn't care that he's going to have them on for the next several years. He's just excited. And it got me thinking....

How often do we get excited about something and either we, or someone else, comes along and squelches it? Has that ever happened to you? It has to me. And I'm sure I've unfortunately done that to others, both knowingly and unknowingly. Have you ever done that to someone with a word or action? Take some time to think about that one.

God doesn't do that to us. If there is something we're excited about, He doesn't come along and say or do something that makes us suddenly unhappy. That being said, however, if what we are excited about is NOT His best for us or it's NOT part of His plan, He will correct our path. Or at least He will try to. Whether we want to BE CORRECTED, is something completely different.

The excitement isn't wrong necessarily. Trying to make sure that what it is we are excited about lines up with God's plans for us (or in His will), is very important. For example: if there's a well-paying job out there for you, but it requires you to compromise many of your morals and values, you'd better do some serious fasting and praying before taking it. That may be an extreme example but one worth noting.

In our excitement, do we rush out and act upon that excitement? Or do we check with God and "allow" for any correction. Our son's braces are to "correct" the "alignment" of his teeth. He is EXCITED ABOUT THE CORRECTION. It may not be the easiest thing for him to do the next few years but if he can begin the correction process with excitement, chances are he's going to come through this perfectly.

And God's correction is perfect too.

Until next time,
RSPS Sunny