I sure learn a lot from my older grandkids. Killian is ten and Selah Belle is eight going on 16 (so she thinks). Both kids ask some really good questions (and quite challenging ones, too) and will have a perception on some things that I would never think about. Things like Michael the Archangel being like a ninja, stealth and lethal. Or maybe the second coming of Jesus happening at any time, Jesus would have to hold their hands, because the kids can’t cross the street without holding an adult’s hand.

Recently, Selah Belle learned about the doctrine of Conviction. The kids each have a Veggie Tales 365 Days Devotional (There is one for boys and girls). The idea is that at the end of the day each of the kids could have their own personal devotional time. Killian started last year. Selah Belle just recently started hers. After the first few days she told her mom (my daughter) that this was really neat and she thinks she is going to really like it.

However, she hit the brick wall after about a week. She was reading and the passage was Psalm 92:1-2. It encouraged her to praise and pray (give thanks) every day and every night. This left her a little perplexed and frustrated.

The next morning (no school because of weather) she informs her mother that she is not too sure she is going to like this personal devotion thing. As she was reading the devotion from the previous night she felt like the passage was “getting on to her” for not praying in the morning and evening thanking God! “I am trying Mom, but I just didn’t know I was supposed to be doing this. And I feel like the Bible is getting on to me for not doing this! I don’t think I am going to like this, if I am going to be told I am not doing this or doing this right!”

Lauren assured her that this was okay and that she was not in trouble. God is not mad at her for not doing this, but this feeling was conviction. Then a discussion began about what conviction is and what to do when you get convicted about something. Now that she knew she needs to make the effort to begin praying and praising God in the morning and evening.

I haven’t heard how the devotions are going since this event, but don’t you appreciate the heart of an eight year old and her grasp on scripture along with a desire to be obedient? And…how about the lesson of what to do with conviction?

Have you ever had that Bible verse or verses that come up in your daily reading, Sunday School, Bible Study or even in Worship at church that remind you or bring to mind the sin that is present in your life or you have done? That uneasy feeling of disobedience? The moment that you realize that God knows…He is getting on to you because of your sin?

I think the difference between us and a child is our reaction. Selah Belle was so concerned because she wants to do what is right, be obedient and please God. However, we seem to try to rationalize, diminish or justify the conviction that comes from Scripture. It is not that bad, everyone else is doing it, it was just once, I am just not that strong or it was an accident are all some of the responses we give.

Excuses are like armpits… everyone has a couple, and they all stink! We can put some deodorant on them and make them smell good for a little while but soon the stink is back.

What we need to do is own up to our short comings and work hard not to do repeat them. If it is something we are just learning about (Selah Belle’s case), make a note and begin doing what we were not doing before. It can make life so much more enjoyable.

I think about driving a vehicle. I am driving and going 10 miles an hour over the speed limit. If I do not know the speed limit, a policeman may stop me, write me a ticket or give me a warning to inform me of the speed limit. When I go past a policeman on the side the road or see one up ahead of me and what do I do (Conviction!)? I hit the brakes and watch in the mirror (and hold my breath) to see if he is coming out to pull me over and give me a ticket. Would it not be easier to just drive the speed limit? Then I can go past the policeman and be guilt free and enjoy the drive to my destination.

So it is with God and His Word. When we read it and learn something we do not know, we need to correct/direct our lives in area His Word is showing us. If it is an area we already know and are convicted, repent, quit and move on to enjoy life!

Loving Child Theology, Bro. Tim