Lesson about Obedience

Being a live-in nanny is a weird job. I’m not technically going to be the Govi (governess) until next year when the kids start distant education, so right now I’m that awkward “not your teacher/not your mother/but still a person you need to listen to” person. And anyone who has kids or works with kids or is around kids or was a kid once will know that kids aren’t always the best listeners.

Sometimes they are so grown up you forget they are kids, sometimes they are so immature you wonder how it’s even possible, but most of the time you need to repeat yourself at least three times before anything gets done.

So obedience has been on my mind a lot. And with obedience comes fun topics like discipline and development and safety. But love and joy also seem to be popping up as being pretty closely linked to obedience somehow.

When the kids listen and act upon what I’ve asked of them, there’s much less need for thoughts about discipline and safety. In fact, it feels like love is so much better expressed and joy more richly felt by all of us in those moments when they obey.

It’s frustrating as all get up to be asking the simplest of things and getting no response. Or getting the opposite of what you ask. Sheesh, I know your only six years old, but baaahh! I’m conscious to try and be as wise as I can be (haha! Its possible!) in what I ask them to do – not ask more than is possible for their age and abilities, usually just what is needed for their safety, the running of the day, or what I think will stretch them to learn something new they are ready for. But more often than not their first response is “NO!” and their suborn little wills turn it into a battle. Because at 5 and 6 years old, they know what’s best.

But, lesson, it’s not just them. It’s me too. I am that child. I am that child who knows my Father, I know the words and instructions He gives me are good and for my benefit, and yet so often I give no response. Or do the opposite. And create a battle for myself. And that battle is usually “what is good” vs “me-not-being-willing-to-admit-I’m-wrong-so-I’ll-keep-fighting-my-point-anyway”.

Sure…You designed me, You created this world, You’ve been around since the beginning, but my 27years count for more. I know what’s good for me. Case in point: Hanson. From the first time I heard MMMBop, I knew what goodness was, and it’s still just as good now.

Jesus tells me “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Jesus I do love you! But this just sounds… I dunno…. Controlling? Superior? I mean… I’m not a kid. You’re speaking to an adult here, durrr.

But maybe love and joy are linked to obeying God as well. And so maybe the word “obedience” isn’t as ugly as we often hear it to be as adults. It seems to be an expression of love. Of loving who though? Is Jesus really controlling and superior? And how is it even possible to obey it all?… I don’t remember most of it!

Jesus says in the gospel written by John “If anyone loves me, they will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them… I have spoken this while still with you. But the Counsellor (the Holy Spirit) will teach you ALL things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives (thank goodness!). Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not be afraid…I will not speak with you much longer, but the world must learn that I love the Father and I do exactly what the Father has commanded me”.

I am designed in His image. One of my highest purposes is to be made more like Jesus. And Jesus does exactly as the Father commands because He loves His Father. He knows what his Father asks is for the good of the whole world – even if it isn’t always pleasant (as I’m assuming being crucified isn’t a party). But yet Jesus goes… Because He knows His Father and loves Him.

I suspect I will always be closer to a 5 year old than an adult in the way I respond to what is asked of me… I don’t want to say no and create battles, but knowing my history I’m sure I will again at some point. But gosh, I’m so glad that it is God who is my Father asking these things of me. He really is perfection. And His Son came to SAVE the world, not condemn it… I’m so stoked He’s on my side.

Lesson about Traffic Hazards.

There are some fairly significant differences between city driving and country driving. The roads are different, the speed is different, the hazards are more “flora and fauna” and less “traffic jams and road rage”. So if I have learnt anything from being part of the Masterchef generation, I know that after 3 weeks out here I am officially an expert on the topic. So here are my lessons on driving in the country:

First and foremost – Keep Your Eyes Open. And I don’t mean just staying awake. Considering we are talking about driving, I’m going to assume consciousness as a given. No, I mean Look and Scan. All. The. Time. These hazards come at you from the front, side, behind you, underneath you, so stay alert.

Hazard One – Dirt Roads. I suspect it’s like driving on bitumen with bare tyres cause things get a little slippery pretty quickly. So to avoid the heart palpitations that ensue when the car starts turning in a way you didn’t tell it to go, break early and slowly.

Hazard Two – Kangaroos. The novelty wore off pretty quickly cause I see HUNDREDS of these guys everyday. I probably should have put these as Hazard Number One as you’ll see a dead one every 200m. They will come at you from any direction, they love sunrise and sunset the most, and they just love getting in your way.

Hazard Three – Emus. I’m told they are the stupidest of the lot, but I’m yet to see it. Apparently they are known to start running away from you, change their minds, then run straight into the side of your car instead. At least they are easy to spot.

Hazard Four – Bush Turkeys. Don’t be fooled though, they look nothing like a turkey. More like a prouder, miniature emu. Or a librarian. In any case, I’ve been told they are partial to fly directly into your windscreen and smash it.

Hazard Five – Sheep. Sheep really hate being left out or left behind, so will always want to find their friends when you come along and it doesn’t really matter to them if it means crossing right in front of you. But their big fluffy bums are super cute when they run, so enjoy that.

Hazard Six – Cows. These guys are probably my favourite hazard as they’re super easy to spot and usually polite enough to let you pass. Plus, when they start to run they look a bit like a gangly 13 year old boy after a sudden growth spurt who now has these long limbs they aren’t sure what to do with. Enjoy that too.

I’m super thankful for the advice of my cousin and my employers who suggested getting a ‘roo bar, a two way radio and always carrying water, food and fuel (and don’t get me started about how thankful I am to Papa Pidge for getting it all together). With long stretches of dirt road and often 100km between phone reception that are quickly becoming part of my weekly routines, and I know one day they will be my lifeline. Plus if I get hungry, I’ll be able to cook up that dead ‘roo I probably hit.