the bacon thief

I led them with the cords of human kindness with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. Hosea 11:4

Tonight as I caught Susanna hiding a piece of bacon under her dress to sneak it out of the kitchen, this verse came to mind. Typically when I am in the middle of preparing dinner, I find myself in lecture mode and scurrying everyone out for the sake of getting it all done quickly so we can just eat! I put the pancake flipper to the side and bent down to her and held her hand. She melted and told on herself for "taking bacon" and hiding it. I felt my heart melt too. It's been a challenge lately with such a resistant, willfull heart so I was very grateful to see a softening in her. I'm reminded just now of The Lord parenting us! He doesn't parent from the side lines or in a scolding kind of way. He is there, bending down and gently instructing us.. holding our hands, leading us, loving us.

I can imagine that My Heavenly Father may have been breaking up the ground of MY impatient and proud heart. I've been too self-sufficient lately and it's possible that the revealing of the "bacon thief" was more for me than it was for Susanna.

Lord, keep me bending down low to see things the way my children do. Keep me low to see things the way YOU do. Keep me low to soften me, Lord. Till, churn and plow the hard soil as You weed my heart and shower me with Your love... especially in the area of leading these little ones.