ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES

Actions have consequences. That was the conversation that I had with my granddaughter several years ago. I am sure you can relate when I say that she was tired and cranky, and was being a brat. Her mom had walked over earlier to talk, and she saw that Emersyn did not want to mind. She warned her multiple times that she would get in trouble, but the tiredness was too big to overcome. Soon, she was in tears.

I scooped her up to sit on my counter so that we could look each other in the eyes, then we had the talk about consequences. I started by saying that she deserved her punishment and that her mother was showing her love by teaching her how to act. Then I went on to talk to her about actions that I knew that she could understand. We talked about someone stealing and how that was wrong. She understood that the person who was stealing deserved to be punished. We talked about not brushing your teeth and how that non-action could cause you to have bad teeth, and she understood that.

Then, we talked about how not listening to your parents was wrong, and how that would have a consequence also. I asked her what would happen is a mother told a child to stop running and the child didn’t stop, but instead ran out into a busy street with lots of cars. She really understood that the child could get hurt because they didn’t listen. In the end, she apologized to her mother for not minding. I wish that this lesson was one that would stick with her for the rest of her life, but I know that she is still a child and in an hour will be in trouble again.

Do we as adults think about our actions and how we, too, have consequences? I know that eating everything in sight, especially the sugary sweets, will cause me to gain weight and possibly even have poor health. But, do I still make bad choices when it comes to food? The short answer is YES. I know to pick an apple over a cookie, but like a four-year-old, my brain will justify me picking the cookie…just this one time.

Personally, I know that I sit at my computer way too much. I know that I need to get up and move around and that I need to start an exercise program for my health. But, I sit right here, day after day, and would not get up except that I have to eat and use the bathroom.

The results are that the circulation to my legs is being hampered. The edge of the chair hits my legs in such a way that I feel like the circulation is not good. My remedy was to use a step stool. Really? I would rather use a step stool instead of taking a walk. The last straw was early this week when I looked down, and my feet and ankles were swelled so big that I couldn’t see my veins. I started doing better about getting up and I have even started walking on the treadmill. This morning, I was happy to report that I could see big old veins in my feet.

I am not a child, but I still make bad choices. I know my Father wants the best for me, just like Emersyn’s mother wanted the best for her. In my daily journal, I wrote, “I am thankful for swelled feet.” Obviously, I didn’t want to have swelled feet, but I was thankful that the Lord used the swelling to motivate me to take care of the body that He had graciously given me.

I am not a fan of “lessons” any more than a child, but I can understand the need for them. But, unlike a child, I am thankful that the Lord cares enough about me to try and correct my behavior. My job is to listen to the Lord and put into action His promptings.

Proverbs 1:5

⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—

Psalm 32:8

⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

I am not sure if there is an area of your life that needs a better action plan. But, I know that the Lord is there for you, and He will give you the call to action, you just need to listen, trust, and obey.

Have a Blessed Day!