I think of myself as a free spirit- freedom = happy. 

Love that verse- Whom the Son has set free, they are free indeed. I’m the first to admit, I don’t like restraints, limits, boundaries- at least without being told why. 🙂

s

Surely somebody besides me can relate? speed limits, seat belt laws, any law that seems to meddle in my personal freedom of choice….

s

But if we could get God’s perspective

We would see when God sets limits-

we may not understand the why….

but we can know

 Boundaries are God’s Blessings.

[Tweet “”You hem me in–behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5 “]

other versions replace the word “hem” with “enclosed”, “hedged”, “encircled”, completely surrounded”

`

When Bethany was younger, she had no comprehension of boundaries.  We had to double lock the doors of our home and put a lock way out of her reach (she eventually figured out she had only to drag a chair over to get it unlocked lol) We did this for her protection and safety because if she got out- she would “take off”- anywhere her little old heart desired with absolutely no understanding of danger or awareness of her surroundings.

Here’s a sample scenario that happened countless times. We’d be out and about and my mom radar would tingle, I’d look around, not immediately locating Bethany with our group, I’d stop and shout in a panicked voice,

“Where’s Bethany?”

a

Everyone would stop and begin looking until we found her. She was a stealthy little thing that could slip away quietly and the thing that drove me crazy is she would “silently” wait for us to find her.  She would not answer our frantic calls. I can’t begin describe the panic, fear, & feeling of helplessness that engulfed me.

“Bethany! Bethany! Where are you? 

Answer Mommy- please!”

It was more years than I care to admit, but thankfully, Bethany’s understanding of boundaries grew and there came a day I no longer worried about her taking off. Accompanied with her increased verbal skills and ability to call each one of us on a phone, I began to relax a little bit.

But there are always new boundaries and limits

to learn to understand.

I heard Moriah’s car start the other day and my mother radar went off. I ran outside, just “knowing” it was Bethany. And it was.  She had quickly turned it off, was crying as she saw me approach.

“Bethany! You can never, ever start a car. It’s dangerous!”

Through sobs, she tried to explain, “But Mommy, I want to drive. I want go see Silas. I want go someplace.” It made perfect sense to her limited understanding.

[Tweet “We need God #boundaries in our life- we can’t always know the consequences of our choices.”]

We want what we want but I’m not sure we understand the implications of what we want- or the danger- or the future consequences.

That’s why we need our Heavenly Father to hem us in – surround us- protect us- place His hand upon us and keep us within the good and pleasant boundaries He’s set for us.

 He alone knows what’s up ahead. He alone can guide and direct us. He alone has the Sovereign Love and Knowledge to keep us in all of our ways. 

And we need to let Him.  We need to embrace the boundaries and limits He has for us!

[Tweet “Like any good #parent, God’s #limits mean #love.”]

Surprising Treasure: The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Psalm 16:6