A THIQ Standard
It’s part of the deal being a parent, trying to figure out when your baby has grown to be capable of obedience, and then at the other end when you should just accept any nod of response. When is it too soon? When is it too much? When does the magic window open of understanding and eagerness?
Our Father in heaven is wise, and patient, and never changes the standard of obedience. He reveals the standard so that it’s clear. He reminds us, He disciplines us, He forgives us, but He does not lower or lessen what He wants. We could learn something from this.
One way we talked to our kids about it is THIQ obedience: Total, Happy, Immediate, and Quick. (here was the initial explanation, here are some verses for each point)
- How many of the things? Well, all the things, the whole list. Colossians 3:20 bibrefcolossians3 bibrefcolossians3v20 really says, “Children, obey your parents in everything.”
- What attitude when doing the things? Well, you can’t be standing up and screaming on the inside but sitting down on the outside; it’s the whole heart.
- When should you get after doing the things? When you were told to do the thing. Forgetfulness is part of the disobedience.
- And how long should it take to do the thing? As long as it should take. Taking out the trash is not a two-week long project.
Partial, or pouty, or dawdling, or dragging obedience is not obedience.
When you’re thinking about how much work this is, and it is work, you must remember the results: life, joy, fellowship, clean conscience. And most importantly, the last part of Colossians 3:20 bibrefcolossians3 bibrefcolossians3v20 is, “for this pleases the Lord.”