Teenagers. Ear buds growing from their heads. Mesmerized by the new song on their playlist. The house could be on fire, and they would never notice. We’d get the unplugging of one ear, and the questioning look of “What?”

And this is good?

Let me explain.

Galatians 6:10 (NIV) says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

To do good, in a God-like manner, requires God Himself. God within, empowering our words and actions, directing our thoughts and efforts. This means we need to spend time with Him.

Listening.

Being still.

Like a teenager who is plugged in.

This wasn’t a priority when the kids were young. I didn’t have time. I talked to God a lot, but I listened little. My loss.

My husband’s loss.

My kids’ loss.

Checklists and the day’s schedule dictated most of my parenting years. Doing good was nice if I could work it in. But, my goal for the day? Just getting through it. I mean, the house had to be cleaned, right? That pile of work had a deadline. There were standards, expectations, unwritten rules.

Most of these, I realize now, came straight from the pit of hell. They had nothing to do with God’s agenda. Even now, it’s easy to go on auto pilot and maintain the necessities without actively seeking to do good for those in the family of believers I love most: my husband and kids.

So what does doing good look like? After plugging in to God, I learn that, for me, doing good means:

• Setting work aside to watch Magnum P.I. reruns with my husband.
• Going to Marble Slab because boys talk better with food in their mouths.
• Lingering at the table and listening to my daughter instead of putting my head in the ever-present book.
• Proactively texting and calling the birds who have left the nest so we don’t lose touch over the miles in between us.

It means the important things win and the loud ones wait. Because the loud things lie about their status and they don’t have God’s agenda in mind.

Time, attention, a listening ear, cinnamon ice cream. What says “good” to your crew?

(Kids, this works both ways. I don’t read a minimum age for this commandment. What says good to Mom and Dad? Your sibling? Your grandma?)

Let’s be like teenagers and plug in to God. Allow Him to set the agenda for the week and see what good things He has for those we love best. How will He change our week?

Questions:

Has God ever changed your schedule for you?

If He set your agenda next week, how would it change?

What loud thing is toughest to ignore?

If you released it, what might God put in its place?

Tweetables:

There are standards, expectations, unwritten rules. Most of these, I realize now, come straight from the pit of hell. They have nothing to do with God’s agenda. Click To Tweet
It’s easy to go on auto pilot and maintain the necessities without actively seeking to do good for those in the family of believers I love most: my husband and kids. Click To Tweet
It means the important things win and the loud ones wait. Because the loud things lie about their status and they don't have God's agenda in mind. Click To Tweet
Loud things may be good, but they’re not best. Plugging in to God helps us know the difference. Click To Tweet
How To Be More Like Your Teenager and Why This Is A Good Thing Click To Tweet
Has God ever changed your schedule for you? Click To Tweet
If He set your agenda next week, how would it change? Click To Tweet
What loud thing is toughest to ignore? If you released it, what might God put in its place? Click To Tweet