Step 12:   Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps,
we tried to carry this message to others and to practice
these principles in all our affairs.

December 27

Recommended reading: Luke 8, 9, 10, 11

I want to say a dirty word…ready? Obedience.

Who likes to hear that? I hang out with people predisposed to saying “No!” when a “Yes” would have served them better. For some reason, I’m attracted to people who like to color outside the lines, break rules, and generally mess with authority figures. I’m not saying this is good or godly, but it is what it is.

My husband and I are taking dance classes – occasionally he does more clowning than dancing. It reminds me of a time, long long ago, when we were in high school. For an introvert, the guy certainly could distract a teacher with his antics. One of our favorite stories about Mr. Introvert happened soon after he arrived at our school as a transfer from Maine. We had a cool math teacher that we loved, and Pete was in a small computer class. Filled with guys, this small group was known to push the envelope and enjoyed bantering with their teacher. One day Mr. Crane had enough. “The next person that curses in this room gets a demerit!”

“Why the h e double hockey sticks (that’s not how he said it, but I have a nephew who reads this devotional) do you want to do that?” answered my future husband. Pete had some explaining to do when that demerit notice showed up in the mail. (To fully appreciate this story, you have to know that this man never ever curses, and often chides the rest of us for what he perceives to be “loose lips.”)

I suppose that’s why he couldn’t say but so much when our son brought home a note on his report card that said, “Could you please talk to Michael about not distracting me in class? He gets me laughing and this gets the entire class off track!” The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

Pete and I put on our serious parental unit faces and spoke to Michael about the need to behave in class. It was hard, but we did it. Afterwards, I realized that it shouldn’t have been hard to tell our son this important truth.

Obedience may sound like a dirty word to those predisposed to wanting our own way, but it isn’t. It’s a beautiful word. The discipline of obedience brings with it all sorts of blessings. Disobedience may get us a few chuckles, but it probably won’t build character. Upon reflection, I’m glad we spoke to our son about the need to obey. Obedience isn’t something we do to avoid punishment; it’s a skill set we develop so that we might become people of character.

Thought for today: To obey is better than sacrifice…

Thought for tomorrow: The holidays are wrapping up, and a new year filled with potential beckons. Is there anything related to “obedience” that you’ve been resisting? Is it holding you back from bigger and better things?

December 27
Teresa McBean

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Other links: www.crosswalk.com &  NACR Online