My Rule Follower

On Valentine's day I had the bright idea that Steve and I could enjoy Olive Garden in the comfort of our home.  I knew I needed to call the order in early.  I know from experience that tons of people go out to eat on Valentine's Day.  I called in the order at like 4:40 and we struggled getting out the door around 5:10. I knew as I drove to the restaurant that we were doomed.  I had awaited too long before we left the house.  When we pulled up at Olive Garden,  there were NO parking spaces.  NONE!  Not even in the take-out.  NOT even at Red Lobster next door.  I circled and circled and circled.  I was getting madder by the second.  I drove around BOTH parking lots for THIRTY minutes.  At the thirty minute marker, I got an idea.  There was a loading/unloading/ trash pick-up area at the back of Olive Garden.  There were slanted yellow lines painted all around there.  I KNEW I should not park there.....As I circled around again, I called Steve to get his thoughts on me parking in this no parking zone.  It did not say "no parking" but I knew I shouldn't.  Steve told me that it would probably be okay.  I told him to pray that I would not get my car towed.  Ha!
Emily started crying so hard that she could not even tell me why.  She was waving her arms and crying with tears squirting out of her eyes.  She managed to get out,  "YOU ARE BREAKING THE RULES!!!!"  "YOU ARE NOT OBEYING THE LAW!!!"  "MOVE"  "MOVE!!!"  I said, "Oh Emily get out...it will be okay."  She would not take off her seat belt.  She said the most pitiful, "MOM, don't do this!"  She would NOT get out of the car.
What was I to do?  I pulled out of the spot as fast as I could.  I told the girls to pray that a spot would open up.  They were praying out loud.  Emily was praying hard.  After circling around a couple of more times, we found at spot.  Right at the front door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The girls were so excited that God had answered our prayer.
I was SOOOOO proud of Emily. Proud that she does follow the rules.  Proud that she does want to obey!  I pray that she will always be this way.
Being a Christian is not about a bunch of rules and regulations.  It is not about a bunch of do's and don'ts.  It is about a relationship with a God who loves us beyond believe.  We want to obey Him because HE loves us and died on the cross for our sin.  We we obey Him, we are under His umbrella of protection.  Gods tells us no on issues because He LOVES us and wants what is best for us.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.......