Things I Learned About God from My Son Jacob: The Right Path

Here I am, fresh off of a solo stroller walk through our neighborhood with Jacob. I need to savor these strolls (and I do), because one day Jake will be walking on his own. But when he starts walking, he will need to figure out that there are places that look fun, but that he shouldn't go (across the street without holding an adult's hand comes to mind). And that's when the next lesson from God hit me.

Everyone has paths in life that they shouldn't take. For older kids, it may be as simple as drugs or hanging out with the wrong crowd. For grown-ups, it may be a job we wanted, a person we wanted to be with, or something else. The path we want looks fun, or good, or right. But the father knows the difference between a path that is good and a path that seems good. Even though the child will probably pitch a fit over not being able to go the way they want, the father is doing the right thing, and he's doing it out of love.

If there is one thing God feels for you, it's love. I feel only love for my son, so I won't let him travel a path that will hurt him. God will do the same for you. If a relationship or opportunity in life doesn't work out, it's not that God is toying with you or that he feels like making you mad. He's saving you from a good-looking path that will produce a bad result in your life. It also means he's got something better just around the corner. So don't feel bitter if your way doesn't work out. God's keeping you safe.