Being a parent can be frustrating. You tell your kids not to do something, and they do it. So you discipline them. You tell them not to do it again, and they do it again. You discipline them again. You tell them not to do it again. And they do it again. Then you sit them down and try to figure out what is going on in their head. You ask:
- Why can you just obey what I tell you?
- Don’t you understand that I have to discipline you when you disobey?
- Don’t you understand that the rules we make for you are for your own good?
- Don’t you understand that you will be happier when you obey than when you disobey?
- So why can’t you just obey?

I think I’ve had that conversation a few times with my oldest son. And I’m sure I’ll have it a few more times with my youngest. It’s just so hard to comprehend why they make the decisions they make. It’s so frustrating. Are kids just stupid? Then God me tapped on my shoulder and said this to me.

“You also make a lot of bad decisions. I’ve told you what you are supposed to do, and what you are not supposed to do, yet you do not obey.
- Why can you just obey what I tell you?
- Don’t you understand that I have to discipline you when you disobey?
- Don’t you understand that the rules I make for you are for your own good?
- Don’t you understand that you will be happier when you obey than when you disobey?
- So why can’t you just obey?”

And I reply… “I don’t know.” But now I do have a better understanding of why my kids have trouble obeying. They learn it from me.