Having kids of my own occasionally gives me a little insight into how God feels about me. One such occasion occurred the other day.
It all started the night before....at the checkout at Target, Kennedy asked for a ring pop. I said no. She then threw a fit and started crying. I didn't give in. (Yay for me, right? - Well, little did I know what God was in the midst of teaching me!) We left the store and headed home. The next day, we were off again, this time to Walmart. On the way there, she said, "Mommy, I'll be a good girl today." I knew what she was getting at...she obviously wanted to try again at the whole ring pop thing. I came back with, "Kennedy, will you still be good even if you don't get what you want?"
Wow! I think it hit me harder than her. As she responded with her "Wrell, I'd be better if I got a wing pop," I just couldn't believe what had come out of my mouth. I felt kind of proud that I had responded in such a good mom way, but convicted that I have been responding to my Heavenly Father the same way Kennedy responded to me. God revealed to me that I had been acting like that...that, as long as I got what I wanted, I'd be good. Good as in trusting Him....Good as in believing that God loves me and wants the best for me....Good as in praising and worshiping Him with my whole heart regardless of my circumstances....Good as in remembering how faithful He is and has been to me....Good as in knowing that He knows what's best for me. I need to be good no matter what. Sometimes, He tells me no. Sometimes, He tells me to wait. Sometimes, He works silently and invisibly. I need to live by faith and not by sight!
What a lesson for me. Thanks, God, for taking time out to teach me what you desire.
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2 comments:
What great insight. It's amazing how our children teach us. I definitely think that there is a fine line between passionately pursuing something and throwing a "tantrum."
Kennedy is not going to stop wanting a ring pop. Her desire for it has not left. She is just learning how to respectfully wait for your timing... for the day when the occasion is special enough, when the toothbrush is super near :), when she hasn't had sugar in a while. Then she will get her ring pop. Not in her timing, but she will be thrilled and thankful.
I feel like I'm taking the analogy too far, and it's not a perfect analogy on my part - God certainly says a complete NO to our desires sometimes. But, it's just like you said, sometimes He says wait. Sometimes He's waiting for His perfect timing to give us the desires of our heart.
agreed. ive had the whole "am i living how i am training up my son?" thing hit me two. those moments are very important to us parents. btw, just wanted to say that i love your passion for worship. you rock.
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