Romans 2:4
Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

I love to chase my children around the house! There's nothing more fulfilling than catching them and rolling around on the floor with them while I get them. But there's a fine line, too. Many times I want to chase them and grab them, but they don't want me to. They may be busy playing their Gameboys or watching a cartoon or coloring and my presence becomes a distraction for them. It is in that moment that I have to make a choice.

I could simply overpower them. I could bully them into playing. One loud scream and they would run and I would chase. But they would run in fear, and that's not what I want. I could bribe them. I could pull out some suckers and tell them that I'll give them one if they let me get them. And they would. But they would do it because they want the candy more than they want me. Or, I could do what God does with each of us. I could respect their wills. I could watch them as they color or laugh at the cartoon or beat that last level of the game.

I have found that kindness is contagious and curious. Like a magnet, it draws the one who received it closer to the one who gave it. How many times, after I have allowed my daughter, Sydney, the freedom to choose my presence, has she come to my desk, smiled and said, "You can't catch me, Daddy!" Oh, an open invitation to get her! And I do catch her and I roll on the floor with her and tickle her and then Parker and Will run in and save her from me and we laugh and giggle and fall out on the floor together. And the best part for me is knowing that they chose it.

God is a good, wise and kind Father. He wants us to want Him and He is willing to allow us the freedom and the space we need to seek Him. And when we find Him, He will hold us close and we will whisper in His ear...

"Thank You for letting me choose."