As I was leaving Target yesterday, I noticed this lady coming into the store. But, she wasn’t coming in the entrance. She decided to come in through the exit. Now, I’m not a stickler for this sort of thing. She was a ways off, but I found something interesting in this exchange. She looked towards the entrance and kind of shook her head. Then looked at the exit and mouthed, “do not not enter” & shrugged it off. Then as she passed me in the automatic doors through the exit, she accidentally bumped me (even though I was trying to get out of her way) & said, “Oh, I’m sorry. This must not be the entrance.”

Honestly, I didn’t think much of it at the time.
A little odd? Sure.
Big deal? Not really.

But it got me thinking (because my mind drifts to weird places).
How many times have I ignored God’s instruction?
How many instances have I heard His precepts and chosen something contrary?
Why do I sometimes choose the exit even though I see the entrance?
And, as I’m doing it, even play it off like I didn’t know…

Why do we ignore God?

If we are transparent, it’s because we believe we know better. 
“God, I know you say to be honest, but if I lie their feelings won’t get hurt.”
“Gossip is a big deal to you, but sharing this with my friend will help them.”
“I know, I know, thou shalt not steal. But, I’m really hungry.”
“Married? Yeah, but I need to fill my physical & emotional needs with this person.”
“I’m angry. I know you say be in control. But, being angry helps me let it out.”

I’ve been there.
You’ve been there.
We have this convo with God like we’re smarter.

My daughter Chloe a few days ago was with us grocery shopping and needed to use the bathroom. The entire time I’m standing outside the stall she is talking to me about how clean she’s being and how she doesn’t need to wash her hands. “Really?” I said. “Yeah, I’m a clean girl and didn’t get messy at all so I don’t need to wash my hands.” I knew what was happening. I knew it before she even walked in the bathroom.

She’s terrified of hand dryers.

The sound. It’s LOUD. She doesn’t like it. So, she eyed it as we walked in to see if it was paper towels or (dun dun dun!) an air dryer. Sure enough, it was an air dryer and she kept her cool, but assured me she was clean. I talked it through with her and as she exited the stall and knelt down to talk to her face to face and said, “I love you Chloe. I know why you don’t want to wash your hands. That air dryer is scary, huh? Well, what if I told you that your hands are dirty and you need the air dryer? And, that loud sound isn’t scary, it’s awesome! After you wash your hands and get all the dirty stuff off, the dryer is cheering you on and has a party for your hands. I know you can do it.”

She looked at me and said something we talk about all the time,
“It can’t hurt me. You know why?”
“Why baby?” (I know what’s coming next from her…)

“Because my Daddy’s here!”

She marched up, hit that button, and dried her hands like an Olympic champion.
The entire time smiling.
So proud.
She was full of victory.
All the while, her daddy looking on with a smile.

He knows what’s best for you.
You may be terrified.
You might even think you know better than Him.
You may want the exit instead of the entrance- ’cause it’s easier.
But if you give in to the little things, you’ll start to give in to the big things.
It may sound like His plan is painful.
It might not be easy or in your comfort zone.
You might even get some bruises along the way.
But, your Daddy’s here.
He knows what is best for you.

*Some verses to encourage you in this: Psalm 23:4, Deut. 31:8, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 12:2, Lam. 3:25, 2 Cor. 1:3-4, Hebrews 13:6