The Terrible Twos... and a Reminder...

So...

We are told that the "terrible twos" can start in toddlers as early as 18 months (not necessarily welcome news for a couple of parents about a month into that timeframe).  We have begun to see some of this "terrible" behavior from Myles.

Now, I'm not a behavioral expert but it seems to strike when there is something that Myles wants and thinks that he can get or do on his own but he can't.  Like... climbing on the couch, reach a toy, opening a boy (i.e.: the alien bowling set pictured), eating his food... etc.  Either he doesn't have the ability or he can't accomplish it in the timeframe that he thinks it ought to be done.  Then he cries, whines, pouts, throws his toys down, etc.

I took this picture a couple of days ago.  Myles loves to play with his alien bowling set (I'm not sure who bought it for him... but thanks!).  He doesn't actually bowl (yet) but he mostly likes to get the alien-shaped bowling pins out and carry them around and throw the bowling ball (not actual weight thankfully) at one of our cats.  But on this particular day, he couldn't figure out how to get the velcro flaps open so he could get to the pins.  I was sitting about 3 feet away.  I asked Myles to bring the set to me and I would help him open them.  He didn't.  He struggled.  He fussed.  He got upset.

If he would have only brought the set to me, I could have helped him.

As I reflected on this, a Scripture came to mind (Matthew 7:7-11 NIV): "7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! "

Only a few feet away, my desire was to help my son, if he would only turn and ask for help.  

How many times do I fail to ask God for help?  Only a few seconds away, God's desire is to help his children and yet many times, we do it on our own... getting mad, frustrated, angry, etc.  Our God is a gracious Father who wants to help his children.  Yet, too often I don't ask... 

JC



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