Don't Be a Noodge

Allow me to start off by saying, I don't keep anything from my husband. So, when I post something about him, he knows it. That being said, my husband is a bit of a noodge. A noodge has a tendency to remind others of things again and again to get others moving at the pace the noodge wishes to set. A little more annoying than a nudge, but much more tolerable than a nag. 

Did you order the filters yet? I will when you give me the money for them. **Hands me the money** Did you order the filters yet? And so it goes.

Another thing about my husband, he has a great heart. He can be a big kid --hence the noodging (noodgery?) --but it's only because he wants everything to be good, in order, right. He wants his kiddos safe, he wants his wife happy, he wants his house and vehicles in good repair. Those things are important to him, and it's hard for him to rest if questions are left unanswered or the horses are not all in the barn, so to speak. And he noodges because he is excited for outcomes. In the words of the Hannibal we all knew and loved before Lecter stole the stage: Scott "loves it when a plan comes together!" Seeing everything come to fruition, building projects completed, destinations arrived at --that gets him fired up for the next challenge.

So, the other morning I was praying. It was something I have been praying about, only this time my prayer sounded more like a noodge. Jesus, I'm trusting You to take care of this, but You know, we're getting close to that date and we don't seem to be any more prepared than we were a few months ago. Okay, does Jesus have no idea what's going on? Of course He does! He created time! He is eternal, above space and time. He doesn't obey the calendar or the sun and moon; they obey Him! Well, I repented of my nonsense, of course, but I got to thinking about that: how does God see our noodging (noodgery?)? I mean, I know why Scott does it. And though it sometimes gets under my skin, I try to respond with kindness and reassurance. I try to respond to the man who likes to know everything is good, rather than respond to the man who is, at that moment, reminding me of my children when they were small. I try to understand his fears and remind him of his Hope, rather than let myself begin to doubt. I try to redirect his excitement to things Jesus has already done, recalling God's faithfulness to us in the past, even in those things that didn't turn out the way we had anticipated. 

I'm not sure God would see our noodging (noodgery?) much differently. I'm no better friend, spouse, or parent than God is! If we try to treat others with kindness and patience, why would God remain so frustrated or angry with His people? Jesus is the propitiation for God's wrath toward us. Jesus is the mediator between us and our Heavenly Father. Jesus is our righteousness. Jesus bridges the gap created by sin, and is our intercessor, making sure we are saved and perfected all along the way, until we reach complete deliverance in heaven. God is not delusional; He remembers we are dust. If we could make it on our own, we wouldn't need Jesus; but we can't, and we do. Because God knows this, He gave us Jesus. Because God knows this, He gave us His Holy Spirit to teach us and help us remember what we have been taught, to fill us with hope, to equip us with His own gifts that we might serve God effectively, to change us from the inside out that we might bear good fruit for the Kingdom, and to keep us in Christ until the day we see Him face to face. Would someone so angry, so intolerant really put all of these measures in place to help us? Would a loving Father not love? Judgment is reserved for those who reject Jesus. In fact, that is so important, let me say it again --better yet, let me let the Scriptures say it:

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. ~ John 12:48

So, for all of our failures and flaws --even all of the sins we continue to commit from time to time --we are not under judgment, not if we are children of God, the Bride of the Bridegroom, the friends of Jesus. He loves us and wants us whole; He was willing to die to ensure that, and He's not going back on His word. And isn't that a great reason to stop all our noodging (noodgery?)?