what God doesn't put up with

Lewis talks about the tyranny of the proud today in A Year with C.S. Lewis.

And you can tell from what he says that he's dealt with people who were brats. He talks about those who would spoil every garden in the world just because they can't "bear the smell of roses".

We find brats of all ages, don't we? They come in all shapes and sizes. While there ARE children who avoid being brats, most children go through a bratty phase at some point. The "terrible twos" aren't called that for no reason. Most toddlers are horrible, selfish little tyrants. And then they learn how to function with others... they learn generosity and humility and grace. Most of the time.

But I've met... and I'm sure you've met... people who never learned those things. I've met adults who literally throw things when they don't get their way. I've met elderly people who still don't know how to treat "the help", and talk down to them like they're stupid.

Now, the title of this blog is a little misleading. It's not that God doesn't put up with brats. If He didn't, most of us Americans would have no chance at heaven. He is very patient with us, even the worst of us.

But.

He doesn't allow us to keep being brats forever. He loves us too much to let us go on being horrible people. His patience is so extreme that we sometimes mistake it for weakness and for not caring. But nothing could be farther from the truth. He is all powerful. He cares more than we can fathom. But He waits patiently, gently teaching us the lessons that we desperately need before we can enter His kingdom.

Thank You, God, for Your patience with brats like me.