The longer I live, the more I realize I'm just like a two-year old. Maybe having a son who is two is reminding me of my occasionally toddler-like behavior. Today I witnessed the perfect example.`It has been unseasonably warm here -- upper '40s today and raining. Seth and I ran some errands and, when we arrived home, we left the car outside because we were headed to Joel's later. I took Seth out of his car seat and set him on the sidewalk, pointed toward the gate to the yard, so I could grab my bags. No sooner had I turned my back then I noticed Seth was wandering around instead of heading in through the gate I had opened. As I watched his cautious steps, I quickly realized where he was headed: there was a gigantic puddle in the middle of our side yard seemingly calling to Seth. "No. Seth, no. Do not walk in there. Seth! No no no NO NO NO!!!." Despite my increasing urgency and loud screams, Seth walked himself right into the middle of that gigantic puddle and with water up to his ankles, his shoes completely submerged, turned and looked at me with a look that said, "What? What did I do????" Sigh.`I ditched my bags, swooped up my son, and stomped into the house where, behind a little smirk of my own, I said, "Mommy said no. You must listen, Seth." Grrr. :-)`I'm not all that different than Seth. I also don't understand why I can't do or can't have certain things that are appealing to me. I also hear the voice of my Heavenly Father, quietly at first, and then louder, telling me no, no, no, no, NO -- and yet, I don't always listen. Like Seth, I don't understand why God says no to some of the things I want. And it's hard. Frustrating, really. So in that sense, I can relate to Seth and I have more grace for him. But that doesn't make the "no" any easier when I can't see the problem with the puddle.`“It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32