We're going to Olive Garden

I had the privilege of eating lunch outdoors on the beautiful U of O campus the other day, and overheard a conversation between a mother and her young 3 or 4 year old daughter. The daughter had her hand in her mother's, and she was asking what they were going to do now. Mom said, "We're going to Olive Garden. And then we can have some pasta. Do you want some pasta?" Daughter didn't really like this suggestion, and promptly made it known. Mom didn't bat an eye, just kept saying, "We're going to get some pasta. You like pasta." This wasn't enough to convince daughter. I'm not sure what she had in mind, but as they left my earshot, my imagination took over for the rest of the trip. From my limited experience, I could imagine that they went to Olive Garden, daughter protesting all the way, Mom patiently telling her that it's good, she's going to like it. I imagined this would continue right up until she convinced Daughter to try just one bite, and if she doesn't like it she doesn't have to eat it. This makes since to the 3 year old, so she tries it and...."Mmmmm! That's really good!"

I was so struck by Mom's patience. She didn't get upset, she didn't get manipulative, or forceful. She just held her daughter's hand and kept walking, telling her she was going to do this, and she WAS going to like it. My thoughts immediately went to my Father. Patient. Holding my hand. Telling me that it's good for me, that I will enjoy it, no matter how much I don't want it, or how much I want to do something else. My relationship with my Father is not the best. Not where I would like it, certainly not where He would like it I'm sure. But I do know that He continues to hold my hand, and continues to lead me somewhere, maybe where I think I don't want to go. And I've got to admit, I'm a protester. And I'm pretty sure I know what's best most of the time. Maybe that's why our relationship isn't the best. Jesus told a parable about how if your child asks you for something, what father would give them a snake. He goes on to say how much our Heavenly Father loves us even more. If this is true, and this mom is a dimly lit mirror of God's patience, then I am blown away.