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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.......

Comments

sle said…
I had to laugh when I read your post! I took a phone book from a telephone booth once when my son was four and he almost died right there on the spot! He cried and wailed like I had killed someone. The situation was that my car was overheating and the owner of the gas station told me to take it because he couldn't find his copy and his mechanic was on vacation so I needed to locate someone to fix my car. Amazing how they hold on to the truths they are taught when we think they sometimes don't pay attention.
Melissa said…
so sweet...but very hilarious!
A.K.W. said…
My sister had to take a pack of lifesavers back into a store once since my Mom told her to, I never really did that kind of stuff but I did steal a cookie from a baby that was on the same plane when I was being picked up at the airport while my Mom put me down to help the ladies change other babies diapers.

Amy
Meg said…
Aww!! Bless her sweet heart! I LOVE this story!! I especially love when God answers those "every day" prayers. We may think they are just little prayers, but really when you think about it there is nothing that's "big" to God. He is waiting for us to lay our ALL on the alter!! Thanks for sharing, warms my heart. And of course it also made me giggle!!
Christi said…
Love the story. How true it is! I love that my son is a "rule follower" even thought he gets comments from his friends at school for doing it.
Nancy said…
Love this story~!
I needed to hear this tonight!
I've had a crazy stressful week worrying about my parents health & it's so good to remind ourselves how GREAT our God is! He is in control!
Hillary said…
I am crying I'm laughing so hard!! I can just hear you say, "oh Emily, get out." hilarious! I'm so proud of her too! What a good girl! I have a feeling Sarah Kate would have parked there. :)
B said…
We had my two nieces on the coast with us last April and the older 4.5 year old is obsessed with "Donald's" chicken nuggets and that's all she wanted to eat! We were almost to our condo and we told her we could drive through Donald's on the way. As we came into town, we couldn't find a Donald's....and she said we had to find one. I had just finished telling her we were looking, but we might have to decide on something else....and next thing I hear she is praying "Dear God, please let us find a Donald's..." with her sweet little hands clasped and head bowed! I'm sure God loves hearing the things 4 year olds are praying for :) And sure enough there was Donald's with the shortest arches I've ever seen ...and from the back seat a "thank you God for helping us find Donald's"
Tara G. said…
What a fantastic story- for now and years to come!! :)
Kim said…
This is the sweetest and most hilarious story you've told in a while! Emily has such a sweet heart!
I can hear you tell her to "get out"! ha ha
DeeDee said…
Ha! I love this! Isn't it amazing how we learn from our children's "childlike" faith??? They are so trusting of our Heavenly Father...I strive to be that way everyday, but sometimes being an 'adult' just gets in the way :)
Lauri said…
LOVED this post!
Morgan's mom said…
Laurie, your little rule follower is precious, and so are you. It is so trendy to say things like I want my kids to be rule BREAKERS, and I want them to do their own thing. It is wonderful to know of a young mom like you who knows the truth of desiring for your girls a life of obedience , which will mean a life of fulfillment in the Lord.
Becky said…
My oldest daughter is a rule follower too - how handy that she married a police officer! So is my Jocelyn, who I think resembles your Emily!

Don't you find it amazing that the word 'Obey' follows the word 'Trust'. Such simple words. Such huge commands. But, there is no other way to be happy in Jesus...
Karlene said…
cute story and its like when your kids realize what the speed limit is and notice that you are speeding. ummm - "Mom, you are going too fast!" the faith of a child and to hold us in check!
Maegan said…
Such a valuable lesson you taught your girls. YOU ARE A GOOD, GOOD MOMMA! So glad you are my friend. (I feel like a third grader when I say that, but I mean it!)

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