So, we often read through the Old Testament and New Testament and become confused by what seems to be the two faces of God. It is so common for us to remember the stories of the OT and think of God as angry all the time, mean, and judgmental. Then we have Jesus in the NT who bring us a new perspective on God. Suddenly, through the life of Jesus we see a God who loves and sacrifices, who longs for us to be close to him.
I was reading Ezekiel the other day, and I came across an amazing passage that I think shows the true heart of the God we read about in the OT and the NT because truly it is the same God. God is speaking and he says, "And yet the people of Israel keep saying, 'The Lord isn't doing what's right!' O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what's right, not I. Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don't let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don't want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!"- Ezekiel 18: 29-32
We see a God who see how sin is destroying their lives and is begging for them to make better choices so that they can live.
This passage reminded me of parenting. We have had a difficult time this week of getting our daughter to stay in bed and go to sleep. She always has some excuse. So at first, Nathan and I were being very strict and punishing her if she wouldn't go to sleep. Well, that tactic did not work for her and it only made us more and more angry. So now, we have tried a different approach of giving her the chance to talk through her reasons of not going to bed. This drastic shift in our parenting style reminded me of the Old and New Testaments. The one thing God wants us to do is turn from our own selfishness to rely on him because he knows the best way for us. For some of us, we need to be scolded before we come to understand that love he has for us. For other, we simply need to experience the unconditional love of the father through Jesus. But one thing remains the same, God loves us and wants a relationship with us no matter the cost for himself.
How have you experienced this to be true in your own life and in your experiences with God?

I found that scripture to be very interesting. The quote that resonates with me the most is "I don't want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord". I can see, feel, hear God saying this. He is filled with sorrow," I don't want you to die!" He says it as a loving owner holding his puppy after it being hit by a car. I don't want you to die, if only you have listened to me.....

It is so like us humans to blame God when things don't go right! Parenting is a good reference. So often, when I discipline my children, they blame me for making their lives more difficult--AT THAT MOMENT--but my chastening comes from love and benefit for the long haul. I don't discipline because I want them to be miserable or because in some sick, twisted way I want to have control. No, I want them to have success and life and satisfaction in a life well-lived.

This is true with God as well.

In bending my "freedom" to His, only then will I truly have Freedom. Funny how that works. If I just obey Him and trust Him, then I am free to share in the life that only He can give. When my children obey me, then they get to have ice cream and jelly beans. Disobedience means "straight to bed". The choice is theirs. In obeying God, the choice is mine; and when I don't like the outcome, I've only myself to blame.

Amanda, Your post reminded me of something that happened last night.
Calais has been sick all week and her tiredness had caught up to her. She was being extremely disobedient and I was having to discipline her over and over again. She was so tired that reasoning was even out the window. After a while things calmed down a bit and she asked me to play with her. I responded, "Don't you want Daddy to play with you." She said that No, she specifically wanted me. Kind of under my breath I asked, "Why do you even like me?" I was amazed that after having to fight and punish her all evening she still desperately wanted ME to play with her. Well she heard me and her response which I will never forget was, "Because I love you."
I think Jesus really knew what he was talking about when he said that we are to have faith like a child. We have times in our lives when God disciplines and allows struggles to happen in our lives in order for us to become the best we can be. In the midst of all that, I wish that I would always have the perspective that no matter what I still want to have more of God simply because I love him.

Awe. Sweet, precious Calais! Now you know why I believe I am blessed to have the greatest job EVER! Kids do have an amazing faith! They often become the teacher. So glad God spoke such beauty to your heart through her :) Hope last night was restful.