Who's Got the Power?

 Henry, my 18 month old grandson thinks control is everything. I have been allowing him to play with my Kindle Fire as long as I hold on to it. Today while we were in a store waiting for his mother, he tried to crawl to the other end of the bench out of my reach. Out of desperation I offered him Kindle control. Henry stopped his exodus, and sent me a "huh" accompanied by a questioning look. When I extended the Kindle to him, he grabbed it, put it between his legs and did a victory dance while still seated. His great delight in his momentary control of technology was brighter than any neon sign.

Unfortunately control is not always really control. Henry enjoys pressing whatever he can on any technological device assuming that he will be the recipient of greater control and pleasure. Sometimes only frustration is the result. If he's temporarily in my care frustration is often the result. My knowledge of gizmos is severely limited. If the game disappears and nothing remotely dazzling takes its place, I will likely not be able to make the changes that truly satisfy him. I also have to watch he doesn't delete something or charge something to me.

At the store it's the Kindle and at home it's the t.v. remote or the phone. Henry hits the right spot on the t.v. remote and his "sure to please" show disappears. He's been known to press the right button on the phone and unexpectedly call our last caller. Henry lights up when he gets close to any of these gadgets.

Does this scenario seem somewhat familiar? Isn't this what we all do? We know God does a good job of controlling what happens but if we have any chance of exercising control, our hands reach out hoping to make things happen our way. We either realize that our way was not a good thing or we hit the wrong buttons and we are left scratching our heads wondering how did we got to where we are.

There is good news. Unlike Henry's situation we are not stuck with a technologically inept Nana who tries to make things right. God is not only savvy about technology and all things, He knows us, loves us and forgives us.

The heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

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