“Put me in jail, put me in jail,” our six year-old grandson shouted. “Put me in jail, Gramma,”
The boy’s scooters whizzed by, daring me to move out of the way, challenging me to capture little law-breakers with their laughing taunts and haul them into garage jail. They were doing just great whizzing by until the idea spawned for a sheriff and a policeman.
My husband got nominated first to be the man in blue, as he was appropriately attired. But he nominated me sheriff. Thank you dear.
Judge and final authority of all scooter violations, I defined, declared traffic violations, and held the keys to the jail.
“Did you see me? Did you see me Grandma Sheriff,” my grandson yelled. “I went faster than the speed limit. Catch me!”
Before law had been instigated, the boys had fun flying by too fast, like a game of chicken, and barely missing one another. However, as we the grown-ups saw impending disaster, it constituted setting rules.
But the minute Grand-law-enforcement arrived on the scene, rather than providing the order we’d hoped to achieve, mayhem resulted. Boundaries shattered. Being caught and being found guilty turned into an undeniable challenge, an inviting ambition.
Law breaking became the goal.
Going to jail with flailing legs and arms, giggles and cries for help turned into delicious delinquency.
Our designated road lanes took on life like a zig-zagging snake. One-ways were especially onerous. And the stop sign the boys themselves made, they gleefully ignored.
The entire scooter runway begged a chaotic disaster, an envisioned trip to the ER waiting to happen.
We, the policeman and sheriff, quickly realized another problem. Jail held no bars. They wanted in simply to sneak out.
“We’ve lost control,” I whined to the policeman on duty.
“I think we are teaching them the wrong thing,” Phil said.
It was like trying to herd a bunch of bouncy balls all going different directions. For those three little boys the entire objective changed. It became catch-me-if-you-can-so-I-can-get-into-jail-to-sneak-out-of-jail.
I soon recognized us, all of us, in their actions. Why are we like this? Why do we so often find ourselves rebels to what God intends for our good?
The Apostle Paul, a law-abiding Pharisee dramatically converted to Jesus Christ, grappled often with this tension throughout his writings.
In 1 Timothy 1:8-11, Paul declares the law good because it reveals what is not. It convinces us of sin.
“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Romans 7:19 NKJV)Paul declares the law good because it reveals what is not. Share on X
When he penned Galatians (Galatians 3:23-26) Paul recognized the law as a tutor, to bring us to Christ. He identified himself as having died to the law (Galatians 2:19-21) and freed through the love of Christ. And, in Romans 7:4-6, Paul tells us to serve in the newness of the Spirit rather than the oldness of the letter of the law which was burdensome and unattainable.
How then does it relate to boys on scooters?
The Apostle Paul’s instructions remind us to examine our motivation in obedience to His Word. God’s grace filled love for us meets together with His laws and our freedom in Christ. Loving Him puts us in a place of loving what He says and desiring to do what He wills. Obedience lives out love, and without respecting God’s laws, our testimony becomes so mushy it is dangerous to the gospel.
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13Obedience lives out love, and without it, our testimony becomes so mushy it is dangerous to the gospel. Share on X
Those little grandsons love each other so sweetly. After the predicted collision, (thankfully minor) a little scuffed and scraped-up, their love for one another was tested and it ruled.
They hugged each other, comforted the injured, and began to follow through with the set road laws…not perfectly, but with much improvement, because they let love for each other blossom into doing the right thing.
Under God’s laws all of us are equally in need of a Savior, and equally offered full redemption of sin through the death and resurrection of Christ. God’s laws were given that we might recognize our sins, in order to embrace His grace and forgiveness. The purpose is the same for all, and the reward free to everyone.
Love is the foundation.
Obedience its byproduct.
There are times when Jesus shows us His love as He does with scooter bound children. May He open our eyes this week to His grace-filled demonstrations, and may we recognize Him always ready to embrace us and pick us up again.
Marcy Giesbrecht
Loved this Sylvia!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Marcy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Cleo Waters
Great analogy! We all test the limits at times. Thank God for His love and grace!
Sylvia Schroeder
Amen!! Thanks Cleo!
Linda Lou Brucato
Having had 4 boys of my own, and now 13 grandkids, I totally get it! Why can’t we all just do what is right? Oh how I long for heaven!
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes, I think the more we experience of life, the sweeter heaven seems. And any woman with 4 boys deserves a big crown!!
Daneen Campbell
Love this! Pertains to us all! ❤️
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Daneen. I’m so glad you took the time to let me know you enjoyed it!
Don Pahl
Creative and chaotic lesson, Sylvia! So appropriate and so timely! Now let’s turn on the TV news and watch the adult version! So pathetic without obedience to God’s grace and the law of love!
Sylvia Schroeder
Oh my yes! The adult version is on full display and not so cute!
Paul Wright
Great illustration of spiritual principles! Can I rob this for a class?
Sylvia Schroeder
I’m honored if you do rob it for class. Thank you Dr. Wright!
Cheryl Balcom
This was great, Sylvia. A clear and relatable illustration of our own tendencies to push the limits. Thank you!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Cheryl. Yup. Unfortunately I’m in there too!
Beth Menezes
“because they let love for each other blossom into doing the right thing”
Like you said, happens in loving the Lord, and in loving one another!
Love your analogy and beautiful writing!!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you so much Beth! It’s so nice to hear from you!
Katherine Pasour
I love the lessons our grandchildren teach us (sometimes the hard way). Your analogy of our zest to break the rules (as demonstrated by your grandsons’ enjoyment of being captured and breaking jail) is a great example of how we skirt around the guidelines Scripture provides for our actions. Loved your message and your skillful application.
Sylvia schroeder
Thank you so much Katherine! Guilty as charged! It is far too easy to find the loopholes God never intended. Thank you. I always appreciate your comments!