"You don't know best"

I remember growing up and hearing my parents say, "Sarah, you don't always know best!"  Or, "We have been there."  "We are just protecting you."  I was always like...dang I know you know best but man I REALLY want to do this...or do that...but I KNOW you know best and because you know best,  I am not going to do this or that!!  I didn't always do right, but I never wanted to disappoint my parents and I tried to live a life that was conscious of what the Lord wanted for me.  Now I will say again, obviously I was not perfect and I made my share of mistakes, but I was a pleaser!


A few weeks ago we were having these same types of conversations with Alyssa about how when we tell her not to do something it's because we are protecting her....so on and so on.  I felt like I had said, "Alyssa you don't know best" about a million times in a few week period.   So one afternoon we were at Cody and Olivia's house and Alyssa was babysitting Charleigh (not really, but she thought she was).  I see her letting Charleigh out the front door (good thing she wasn't really in charge).  Hehe!  I said, "Alyssa, Charleigh can't go out the front door."  Alyssa answers with, "Well she wants to!"  I said, "Well you don't know best for her, and she definitely doesn't know best for her.  (She is a few months shy of 2).

As the words so eloquently flowed out of my mouth...the smack in my face was much more fierce.  It hit me like a ton of bricks.  I felt as if the Lord said, Sarah...you need to listen to what you are telling your daughter.  This lesson is as much for you as it is for her.  

How many times do I try to do things on my own?  In my own understanding.  With my own strength.  In my own timing.  With my own intentions.  The answer is daily.  Too often I try to plan my days and plan my weeks without even consulting the giver of life, and the only one who holds my days in His hands.
I get busy or stressed and I try to take care of it all on my own.  My heart's desire is to trust and cling to Jesus but I fall short sooo many times. He wants me...all of me.  He wants my desires, my  needs, and my life...all of it!  Not just the big things but every single detail.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope! Psalm 130:5

Yes I am the vine; and you are the branches.  Those who remain in me will bear much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

The Lord is an everlasting God, He never grows weak or weary. Isaiah 40:28

I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will watch over you. Psalm 32:8

I love His word.  So real and so true.  I am clinging to these verses and pray that I will give up when I think I know best for me, and trust my creator.  The one who never grows tired or weary, and the one who knows the Pathway for my life.