Drama, Drama, Drama

Lily has always been our drama queen. As far back as I can remember she has dramatized nearly every minor event in her life. There has always been a significant amount of acting surrounding any chore or task. Early on she would try to get out of them with a sudden tummy ache. Later she would instantly think of something of significant importance that had to be done RIGHT NOW, and with a quick turn on her heel, she would flit from the room with a “I’ll be right back” thrown over her shoulder. Lately she has moved on to the more manipulative (however impressive) line of questioning in some deep subject that she knows is of interest to either Brian or me. (I often wonder how many nights she lays awake thinking up the next question she will ask when she finds herself in these predicaments. Actresses must always be prepared to act, you know!)

Brian and I saw through Lily’s little charade very early on. We naturally have allowed her to gently push the boundaries before finally clamping down to say “okay, enough is enough…move it NOW!” This admonition is nearly always followed by Lily’s signature twinkle in those bright blue eyes, a twist of her mouth, a snap of her finger, and a mumbled “darn it!” because she knows her gig is up. I have tried numerous times to explain to her that the longer she puts off a task, the more difficult the task will be and the longer it will take when she finally attends to it. Like that old saying describes, “a stitch in time saves nine.” But still, the dishes go unwashed on the counter for a couple of hours after breakfast, so she might as well wait for the lunch dishes to be added. Then, on one of her really good acting days, the supper mess will be added to the pile, and before she knows it, her daily dishwashing task has grown completely out of control, and she begins to seek assistance.

At times Lily’s drama sessions can be exasperating, at times funny, but they are certainly NEVER without creativity…which brings me to ponder something in my own life. Just how creative am I at making excuses for myself and my actions? How many times has the Lord given me a directive, and I have asked “Do I HAVE to?” Or whined “Can’t I do it later? I’m so busy right now!” Once in a while He will come down harder and give me richer impressions that I just can’t deny or ignore. But mostly, He waits. He may nudge me again later…a little softer…a gentle reminder. But generally He lets me try it my way. Before I know it, that little molehill that would have been so easy to step over at first has now become a mountain, and I…well, I become desperate for His help. Oh, how He must tire of me and my human-ness! Yet He loves me still.

There is a praise song frequently played on Christian radio. The lyrics burn into my soul every time I hear it. It is performed by the David Crowder Band. I’ll close with a portion of the lyrics below, and if you haven’t heard it, I encourage you to look it up and listen.

HE LOVES US

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

Oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart churns violently inside of my chest,
and I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way...

He loves us
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us!