snip out of it

Have you ever been at the 'why God' stage in your life? That is, you've faced some sort of challenge or something bad happened to a good person you knew and your only response was, "why, God?" ...

Working with preschoolers has taught me a lot of lessons. Most of these lessons have to do with imagination and not putting limits on things, and most of the lessons I've learned have not been ones I've expected. Last September I learned a lesson from a pair of scissors. Even though I didn't blog about it, the thought reappeared again today...so here goes.

So now that we've got the 'Why, God' and preschoolers with scissors context, I need you to picture a pair of scissors. The ones you just pictured in your head were probably the typical sharp point, metal blade, cut-to-the-chase, no dilly-dallying set of scissors. Good. That means you've grown up and are using the most appropriate and productive scissors for your age group. But preschoolers can't use those same scissors. It seems pretty basic to us that preschoolers can't use 'big people' sharp scissors because they are prone to cutting themselves...they are unpracticed. This common sense with scissors can be applied to the 'why, God' moments of our lives.

Just as preschoolers have to work their way up with scissors, so also do we have to progress in all sorts of situations in our lives: relationships, work situations, etc. etc. Even health issues have been shown many times to help people develop into more appreciative people. While I don't pretend to understand or know the reason why you face the current situation you are in, there's certainly something to be said about God maturing us. He will hand you life situations to get you to the next step, just like a preschooler moves from plastic scissors with a plastic blade to plastic scissors with a metal blade....metal scissors with a metal blade, and finally scissors with a pointed end. It's a progression.

What's more interesting to think about is the fact that as a preschooler moves through the phases of scissors, they are never proficient enough when leaving a lower level of scissors to use the next level 100% safely. For example, if a little boy is great with plastic scissors, you might hand him a pair with a metal blade thinking he could probably handle it. But because the previous pair he'd used functioned a little differently and required less precaution, the little boy still has the risk of hurting himself. That's where God comes in the picture. You see, we are like little preschoolers, and God is trying to help us move up in our relationship with Him, in our jobs, as a person, etc., and so He brings us to trials where we could potentially do some real damage to ourselves. We humans tend to be a little careless and are unsure when we face 'why, God' situations. Just as a preschool teacher watches over the students to make sure they don't cut themselves and tries to show them and help them to use the scissors safely and effectively, God is right there with us to guide us through the 'why, God' situations. And often, hindsight is 20/20. So next time you face a 'why, God' moment or situation, try to look for the growth possibilities in it, and don't be afraid to ask the Teacher how to 'work your scisssors.' Talk it up with God, He's here to help.

Hebrews 13:5-8: "5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In the inconsistency of life and the 'Why, God' moments, cling to His consistency, love, and wisdom.