Just don't do it.

My Kennedy (4) is at the age where she is pushing the boundaries of her life. But also, my Taylor (9) is also testing the independent waters as well. Both girls right now are exhausting my mind with thoughts of their trying behaviors. Thankfully Hope (7) seems to balance them out right now. [smile]

Often I will catch them just before they are about to slip up. Like the other day when Kennedy had a huge rock in her hand and was ready to fling it up on here sister's head in a moment of fury...I said, "Don't do it Kennedy."

Or with Taylor and her forgetfulness of her lunch and everything else in her life, I will often point to it on the counter and say, "Don't do it Taylor."

And even last night with Kennedy when she wasn't pleased with my selections for dinner and attempted to throw her food away in an effort to get a cookie. I said it then too, "Kennedy, don't do it."

I find myself saying that more than anything right now..."Don't do it!"

Maybe I say it because I don't want to have to follow through with the known consequences for their actions, maybe it's because I really want them to make the right choice or maybe it's because it's just an instant reaction as a mom when I see one of my children about to fail.

But having to repeat those words of "Don't do it" over and over often leaves me frustrated. I wonder if they are ever going to get it!

I was reminded of these words in a passage of scripture this morning.

Genesis chapter 4. The battle of the brothers: Cain and Abel.

Cain and Abel were the first children of Adam and Eve. Some bible scholars think that they were twins and some think they were just brother's. Either way, I tend to believe that Eve often found herself saying those very words to her boys, "Don't do it."

Because there was great rivalry between the two of them.

In verse 4:7 we see that God himself gave Cain a "don't do it" warning. He said, "If you do what is right will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you but you must master it."

And then...boom. In the next verse we see that sin takes it's toll on Cain and he ends up killing his brother.

Right after the warning! From God!

Cain didn't get it.

But here's the thing. I don't think you and I are all that different from Cain. Sure all of us (hopefully) have never killed our brother or done something as drastic as that. But do not underestimate the value of the sins you choose to do in your life.

It's all the same to God.

We tend to put different levels on our sins but that is most definitely not biblical. And all of our sins lead to the need for a merciful God to step down and wash our sins away. A beautiful promise and truth from His word.

But today I wonder what types of "Don't do it" warnings are we hearing from God.

Is there a conversation that involves tearing someone down? Don't do it.

Is there a little twist to the truth that we need to tell? Don't do it.

Or this one is close to my heart right now[smile]...Is there a cookie begging to be eaten? Don't do it.

How do we find favor in God? By doing what's right. Even when it goes against everything within us. We have to fight it. Because just like I want to help my girl's learn to make the right choices...it's the very same for our heavenly Father.

He's on our side. 100%. He wants us to win and live lives that shout His goodness.

So today, when sin is crouching at your door and my door, may we hear that voice so clearly that says, "Don't do it."