"Stop that."
"Stop what?'
"You're doing it again"
"Doing what again?!"
"You're not living. You're just going through the motions. You're not experiencing all I have planned for you."
"No I'm not! I'm living just like everyone else."
"Exactly!"
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"You're living like everyone else. That's not what I've called you to do. I've called you to act like my son did, to follow in his example, not to follow the ways of man,"
"But God... [insert name here] is such a good Christian! They love you, they follow you, they talk to you, and the study your word everyday. It's just so easy for them, why can't it be like that for me? Why do they have it all together and I don't"
"My darling you do not have to strive to be like [insert name here]. You are not them, nor they you. You have know idea the battle we are fighting, trust me when I say that they do not have it all together. I am working with them on things you do not know or understand, just like you and I are working on our relationship."
"I understand, but I don't understand. It's just so hard living up to all these rules and expectations and guidelines. I don't compare to those around me..."
"My dear, you have nothing to live up to, no expectations to exceed, and no specific guidelines to follow.You will never be able to compare yourself to any other living soul, because none of you are exactly the same. That's why I designed the world the way I did, so no one person could be higher than the other, but rather equal. Don't try to compare yourself to those around you, you are special and I love you just the way you are, after all that is why I formed you and created a plan for your life long before your parents even thought about your existence. You are my precious."
"I wish I could see you.. like really see you, things would be easier that way. Why can't you visit earth? Why can't I see you face to face?"
"My precious, you see me every day, but you rarely acknowledge me. I am there, I am always there. In the midst of chaotic halls I am there, in the silence of an empty classroom I am there, in the stormy skies I am there, even in something as small as a dandelion you can find
my presence. You don't understand why things are the way they are, but in time you will know and I will teach you."
"Oh.. I thought it was something I did. Sometimes it's hard to keep believing in you, but I know there's a reason for this. Have I really not noticed you? What have I been doing that I haven't seen you?"
"Remember when we first started our conversation?"
"Yeah?.."
"You have been too caught up in the act, too caught up in the world, too caught up in the motions."
"But..I... I didn't mean to... I just got tired and the path just seemed so hard.. I.. I just needed a break.. I was just having some fun, is that so wrong? I've done my duty! I go to church every Sunday morning and night and every Wednesday night. I do my devos and I tell you thank you and good night. what more can I do?!"
"My child, you most not forget who you are! You are my child and I love you. It is in me and my son that you find who you are and what you are to live for. You sound as if I have cast a burden upon you, that is not my intent. Remember the path that is wide has many followers and leads to destruction, while the narrow path has few followers and leads to paradise. Life is hard, it hurts my heart to see you in pain and it strikes even deeper when you place the blame on me. You have free will of the decisions you make, I will of course guide you along the way, but you can't follow the path if you don't listen to what I direct you. I want our relationship to be more than just text book, more than just church, more than just a good night message. My child if only you knew how much I love you. I am your father, you are my child. Come to me. I long to hear about you, your day, and all the things that bother you or excite you."
"I'm sorry daddy... Are you made at me? I have failed you again. Over and over I fail you again.. I am not worthy of you or your love. Why do you continue to pick me up? Why do you continue to love me when all I do is hurt you?"
"You are MY child Nothing will ever change that. You mess up a lot, which is why I had to send my son for you. Without a savior there would be separation between us forever, but my dear I loved you so much that I couldn't bear the thought of living with out you. Like any father forgives and guides their child, so will I continue to forgive, love, and guide you. Like the parable of the prodigal son, no matter how far you run from me, I will always be waiting for you with open arms waiting for you to come home."
"Forgive my father... Forgive me for being so ungrateful. Forgive me for following the crowd. Forgive me for not choosing you. Forgive me for not being your child or disciple. Forgive me father for failing you and for the times I will in the future. Forgive me for I know what I do, but do it anyway. Forgive me."
"My dear I will never stop forgiving you! Rest in my grace knowing you are my child and that by this grace you have been saved and forgiven, but please do not take advantage of this grace I give you. Remember you can do all things through me."
"Father?"
"Yes dear?'"
"Can we start this conversation over?"
"Of course we can! How was your day darling?"
"Looking at my day before our talk it was terrible, but now I realize just how lucky I am!"
"My precious you have much to learn and I am delighted that you already are."
"Daddy, I'm a little tired now."
"I know sweetheart. Why don't you rest now and we will talk tomorrow, okay?"
"Good night Daddy! I'll talk to you in the morning!"
" I know you will darling. Good night sweet child."
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the path is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Mathew 7:13-14
