“I wanna do it myself!” is heard often around my house these days.

I guess it’s pretty standard in a home with four kids seven years old and younger.

Lincoln, our two year old is really working to break free from parental control.

He wants to do things himself at any cost.

Will it take longer? Yes.

Is it likely he’ll spill on himself? Yes.

Is he in danger of hurting himself or others? Yes.

Does any of this matter? No.

He’s stubborn.

He wants freedom from control.

He wants his independence.

As frustrating as it is I can’t help but think of my own humanity when I watch little Lincoln struggle.

He is a mini-me. Really, it’s rather amazing. But it’s more than just looks.

His desire to take control of his destiny and do things “his way” is so much like my own.

Charting your own course, doing things on your terms is ingrained in us from birth.

Even though it takes longer, creates a mess and at times, puts him at risk it’s all part of growing up.

Life with God is like this.

We want to chart our own course, do things on our terms and control our destiny.

God is kind enough to allow us to give it a shot.

People might make many plans, but what the Lord says is what will happen. (Proverbs 19.21, Easy-to-Read Bible)

He’s always there when we fail. He’s there even when we’ve pushed him away. He loves us despite our own stubbornness.

When I Lincoln fights me for control it’s a gentle reminder to me to remember who really is in control of all things and holds my future.

God does. He is good. I can trust him.

God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8.28, NLT)

I don’t have to fight.

I can relax and let him lead.

Now if I could only make Lincoln believe this…