“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:15-17

I watched my children play in our back yard – the entire glorious, fenced in, half acre. For two little boys, you couldn’t ask for a better yard. We have a huge pecan tree that spreads its heavy laden branches over the house and most of the yard. In the corner is a swing enticing little boys who think they can fly. We have piles of dirt and newly fallen leaves. Wagons. Tractors. Scooters. Little shovels just their size. Piles of pecans to be thrown, stacked, or eaten. Rocks. Bugs. Bushes with little red berries that turn into paint when you squish them on the fence. On most days they spend hours exploring their little world.

And yet, there are a handful of things they must not do while they are outside. They must not play with Daddy’s grill. They must not throw rocks over the fence at the neighbor’s car. And they must not climb on the metal pipes connected to the air conditioner.

Today my children abandoned their glorious freedom in exchange for the forbidden. I went outside and found them throwing rocks. I went outside and found Daddy’s grill smoking as it singed dry leaves. I found them swinging like monkey’s on the metal pipes of our air conditioner. And they experienced the cost of disobedience.

On my third trip outside I was reminded by my Father, that all of His children sin. I was reminded of two people in a garden long ago that chose the only forbidden thing in their paradise. And I was reminded that my children are sons of Adam – just as I am a daughter of Eve.

And in that moment I remembered my responsibility is not just to punish the wrong but to encourage the right. It is to help my boys make good choices from having a Godly mind that desires to do good, to obey because it is the right thing to do.

I must help them find pleasure in their freedom, and protect them from what brings harm. And I must help them understand that God is not the great cosmic kill-joy that many people would have us believe, but the kind Father that longs to see them enjoy the things that bring life.

Ariel Allison is learning to trust God as she wanders through the desert. When not writing, she is surrounded by a gaggle of little boys, one blue-eyed husband, and a neurotic dog. She explores the issue of greed in her new novel, Eye of the God, due out from Abingdon Press in October. To read a visit her online at www.arielallison.com Ariel is also featured in Christian Devotions new book, Spirit and HEART: A Devotional Journey.

ISBN-10: 1426700687
ISBN-13: 978-1426700682