There's a reason so many of us grandparents are overcoming their technophobia and venturing into cyberspace. We get to see pictures of our grandkids as soon as they're taken!
Like the hilarious photo our son sent recently. A picture of our one-year-old grandson sitting on the kitchen floor, fork in hand. With a lemon-meringue pie splatted on the floor next to him. He's looking at the camera with an expression somewhere between "uh-oh" and "what's the problem?"
Then came the story with the picture. Dad and big sis were outside. Mom had to leave the room briefly. As she left, she said to our seven-year-old grandson, "You're in charge." Which apparently was interpreted, "Keep playing with your video game."
That's when Terminator Toddler made his move. To the pie on the counter above him, that is. The law of gravity provided a valuable assist.
That's when Daddy - the event photographer - walked into the room. As he surveyed the mess on the floor, big brother proudly announced, "Guess what, Daddy? I'm in charge!" All Daddy could think was, "Are you sure you want to own this, son?"
Strange as it may seem, I'm thinking about that little drama as a personal parable at the outset of this freshly-minted new year.
Because how many times would that be a picture of imaginary conversations between God and me? As He surveys the mess right in front of me. And there I am saying, "Guess what, Father? I'm in charge!" And He must be thinking as He looks at the damage, "I could tell."
So how new is this new year really going to be? Especially in the parts of our lives that are messy...confused...tense...troubled?
It all may depend on who's in charge. I've found that the messes are usually in areas where I've hijacked the wheel from God and decided to take charge myself. Often without even realizing it. Then I hear the echoes of that haunting question from God, "After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3).
When I'm facing something that I can't change or fix or control, I desperately turn to Him and say, "Jesus, take the wheel!" But somewhere along the way, Mr. Control takes it back. And that's where the messes come from.
A new year usually makes us reflect a little on things that aren't as they should be. In our marriage. Our family. Our finances. Our relationships. Our lifestyle, our love life, our walk with God.
If you see a mess as you survey your life right now, consider whether you've moved Jesus to the margins and said, "I'm in charge." Effectively making you "Lord" of that part of your life instead of Him. That's when He asks that disturbing question: "Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).
Maybe this new year is time for new management.