FocusOnTheFamily

LEGO and let God

Written by Sandra Ring

When my seven-year-old son, Jordan, built a 150-piece LEGO robot over a weekend, he was ecstatic. As he put the last piece in place, he yelled, “Mom! Look! I did it!” I was impressed. My son rarely devoted much time or effort to any project – he would rather be outside climbing trees or playing sports.

I suggested that Jordan set up his creation on his dresser where it would be safe. “Are you sure it’ll be OK there?” he asked.

“I’m sure. Trust me, it’s definitely the safest place for your robot,” I said.

Crash!

An hour later, I put away Jordan’s clean clothes in his dresser and rested the laundry basket on top. The basket shifted, knocked over a trophy, which toppled the robot into its original 150 pieces. Jordan ran up the stairs and gasped when he saw what had happened.

I stood in disbelief, with no words to mend the mess that lay at our feet. Jordan was upset, and I let him vent until he pushed it too far. “Stop,” I demanded. “I can fix this.”

Rebuilding

Back in the kitchen, Jordan stared at me from across the table. “Come on, Mom!” he said flailing both his arms frantically. “Do something!” He covered his eyes in frustration while I sat motionless, staring at the red, white and black plastic pieces that covered the table.

I can’t stand puzzles, but on the table lay all the LEGO pieces. I looked at the directions, and I had no motivation to start. Jordan’s drama from across the table was grating on my nerves. Finally, I tried several times to fit a few pieces together without success.

“You’re not following the directions, you’re doing it wrong,” Jordan said. He was finally so frustrated that he said, “Don’t you get it? Your plans aren’t working. Just follow the directions; that’s why they wrote them!” Then he left the room.

His know-it-all attitude annoyed me until I grasped how profound his words truly were. In many ways my life has looked like Jordon’s shattered robot. I often think I know what is best for me, and so I forge ahead without following God’s directions.

The result is always disastrous. So, I’ve learned the hard way to do what God says. Jordan was right; my plans don’t work.

Soon, Jordan sheepishly made his way back to the table, unsure if he’d upset me.

“Let’s read the directions and get this robot put back together,” I suggested.

“Great idea,” he affirmed. It took a long time, but the robot was restored.

I’m thankful my frustrated seven-year-old unknowingly alerted me to my stubbornness. I couldn’t rebuild the robot alone, and without God, I can’t rebuild my life. Now, if I could just remember that the next time I try to plan my life on my own.

Sandra Ring tries to rely on God instead of herself in Ingersoll, Ontario.

© 2008 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.