We have all been given the gift of free will. And with that comes great responsibility. God created us with free will because he wanted a loving relationship with us. Love doesn’t exist in a relationship without free will. 

Do you know who else has the gift of free will but doesn’t quite understand the weight that comes with it? Toddlers. And as parents, we have the privilege of teaching them what responsibility and free will looks like.

Sometimes I wish God didn’t offer us free will. It’s tough teaching a strong-willed toddler the balance of being curious, having fun and learning – while also understanding sometimes the choice you want to make isn’t the best one for you or your safety. A perfect example is my toddler learning how to unbuckle her seatbelt in her car seat. What a fun new skill – not so fun as we’re driving down the road.

But through all the different journeys of life, from parenting to working with others in an office to being stuck in traffic on the freeway with other frustrated drivers, God can show us the beauty of free will and how following his gentle guidance can transform us. We just have to be willing to open our eyes and our ears to what he’s doing.

Moment by moment, we get to choose how we’re going to show up. We get to choose the words we speak over ourselves and those we love. We get to choose how we’re going to behave when life is frustrating, heartbreaking or feels out of control. Will we choose to bring glory to the King of Kings or to ourselves? 

I can’t expect my children to handle these choices with grace and submission if I don’t set that example. So even when someone cuts me off in traffic or I’m frustrated by my toddler’s chaotic behavior, I’ve found I have a choice. These things happen regardless. So how about I take a deep breath and lean into God as he shows me the best way to move forward that will glorify him? 

While God doesn’t force us to follow him, he does offer to walk beside us with a gentle, leading hand – and for that, I can’t thank him enough.

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.” – Psalm 25:9-10

Written by Emily Ahrens, director of marketing communications for Buckner International.