Why we have kids . . .

God gave us children so that we would see him in our parenting. 
The weather here is beautiful.  We ran errands this morning (no diapers - AHHHHH!!) and came home.  I told the kids that they could play outside.  We have a sand box and a water table.  My oldest asked for water for the table.  I gave her a gallon of water and told her that was it.  No water and she was not to get any from the outside faucet - we have had this problem before.  
Ok, Mommy! 
They were playing so nicely - no fighting but then I heard a sound.  I followed the sound around the corner, where out of direct sight, the faucet was.  It was on.  There was a small pool of water that they were both happily playing in. 
Off goes the water.  Out come the questions:
"Did you turn the water on?"
"No.  Little Brother did it." 
"I told you no water."  As little brother starts to cry and turn on the faucet.
"But Little Brother wanted water."
"Little Brother can't turn on the faucet.  Turn around."
"No Mommy!  I don't want a pop!"
"Well, you lied and you turned on the water.  You are getting a pop."
"But I am sorry!"
"You are still getting a pop. * * Now, go sit on the porch."
Later . . .
"Why did you get a pop?"
"I don't know."
Later still . . .
"Why did you get a pop?"
"Because I turned on the water and said I didn't. But I am really sorry."
Ahhh, See here is the God reminder.  How many times do we do the same thing?  We do what we aren't supposed to and then cry sorry?  I know that we aren't perfect and my daughter is only 4  and so right now she is playing in the pool of water; after all, she was punished and it is too great a temptation to play in it (wouldn't you?) and I don't want to punish her again for disobeying if I tell her she can't.  Sometimes, we just don't listen and need a reminder.  I will probably have to remind her again not to turn on the water and not to lie just as I will have to be reminded again not to do whatever. 
"I am glad that you are sorry.  But I would rather you obeyed me from the beginning than have to apologize for it later." 

Yes, that is what I said to her.  She hugged and kissed me (really, there is nothing better that those hugs and kisses from my kids) and laughed when I told her to go stomp in the water.
I am glad that my Father loves me and kisses me and reminds me to obey.  I am glad that he gave me children to remind me of it.