God speaks, even in bathrooms

i have told my three-year old numerous times that after doing #2 it is best to just stay put and call mommy. numerous times. so when i walked in to the bathroom and found her (and the potty) covered in said #2, well, let's just say i wasn't winning any "most-patient mommy" awards. i told her again about the importance of staying on the potty and to show me how well she understood and obeys my instruction she hopped off the potty. again. i am sure my voice was the pitch only dogs could hear when i said, "jamison, stay on the potty!!!!!"

when she senses i am upset, frustrated, losing my patience, etc. jamison quickly tries to remedy the situation by saying, "but i loooovvve yoouuu!" and usually it works, forcing me to laugh and take stock of my tone, my facial expressions and whatever else i may be doing to cause her to say that. but this time all i could think and as a result, say, was "IF-YOU- LOVE- ME,-OBEY- ME!" and let me just add that i clapped my hands in her face with each word for added emphasis. cause, ya know, THAT makes it more effective.

the words were still echoing in the tiny bathroom as i leaned over to clean her up and my heart was pierced. how many times has God wanted to say those words to me as he watches me blatently disobey and end up a mess. and how many times have i, in the midst of my sin looked up at him, covered in filth and said, "but i love you!!!"

His words speak to me now, fresh and new:

"does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." I Sam. 15:22

if you love me, obey me.