Good Practice

An oft-asked little-boy question was "Mom, why do we have to remember our manners at home when it's just us?" My answer was always the same: "We practice our manners at home so we'll be really good at it when we're away from home." Not sure how good an answer that was but it sufficed. Think about how frustrating it is when our children pick-and-choose which manners they will use or they kinda sorta remember to do as they well know to do. The psalmist recalls, "You [God] have commanded Your precepts to be kept diligently." (Psalm 119:4). Diligently - that is attentively, carefully, consistently, earnestly, painstakingly, without neglect. Truth is, we often know exactly what is right but we conclude it doesn't suit the occasion or the situation or our mood. Rather quickly the writer adds the joy of choosing righteously: "Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all Your commandments." (V.6). The more we choose to obey and the more of a holy lifestyle we practice, the greater the joy we find in The Lord. "Practice makes perfect" may [possibly] apply to some areas of our life but for certain developing a spiritual habit of Godly obedience is just ... Good Practice.