“Because I Said So!”

These are the words of my childhood and the words I find myself repeating to my own children. As a child they were the most frustrating words. I wanted explanation. I wanted to know, “why??”

Now as a parent myself I realize the reasons I use these words:

  • Sometimes it is just easier. I don’t want to take the time to explain.

  • Sometimes I don’t think my little person will understand the merits behind my why.

  • Sometimes I know that if I explain my reason behind the right now, then I will have to reveal more and they just aren’t ready yet. 

  • Sometimes I have told them the reason a million times, they just haven’t listened. 

I find myself wondering if our heavenly Father has the same response and reasoning to the calling I continue to push away. I couldn’t possibly understand why I have to do this thing He has laid on my heart that I really don’t want to do:

  • Befriend that mom when I really don’t have time for another friendship.

  • Call that person instead of texting.

  • Hand over the last of my cash to the man on the side of the road.

  • Go the extra mile even though no one will notice anyway.

  • Forgive (really forgive) that person even if they have never said, “sorry.”

One “because I said so” moment is with Joseph. Let me recap for you Matthew 1:18-25. Mary and Joseph are to be married but Mary get’s pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph decides to quietly leave her. (verses 18-19)

Do you blame him? I can only imagine what he is thinking…”yeah right pregnant by the Holy Spirit” (insert eye roll). Besides, Joseph is a carpenter. Carpenters by nature are planners. If you have done any projects around the house you know how important the planning is. We, for example, over purchased an entire pallet of bricks for our retaining wall and fire pit (oops). Loading and returning what was delivered to us would have been a nightmare so we used the bricks for landscaping. 

A successful carpenter, like Joseph, would plan well. He would know how much is needed and precisely where to cut so that nothing is wasted. 

(verses 20-23 recap) Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and revealed that Mary was indeed pregnant with Jesus who will save people from sins.

Matthew 1:24-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Joseph, the planner, listens. He listens to the “because I said so” from a dream. He marries Mary and he names the child Jesus. Whoa! He doesn’t need more? He doesn’t need to understand the rest of the story before he agrees to this? Joseph was obedient.

John 11:40 New Living Translation (NLT)

40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”

Obedience is hard, but obedience is rewarding. Where are you being called into obedience? 

In the past 4 months I have had my biggest, “because I said so” moment. Before I can share that I must share JUST CALL ME JONAH.