A few days ago, I asked Jack what he wanted for breakfast. His response was, "ice cream!" As much as I love ice cream and would have loved to eat ice cream with him, I told him that we do not eat ice cream for breakfast. He was not satisfied with that answer. I asked him again what he wanted for breakfast and he again responded with "ice cream!" I told him that that was not a healthy breakfast and that we could have oatmeal, a smoothie or eggs for breakfast. He decided to throw a fit.
As I listened to him cry for ice cream, a thought passed through my head, this is what I must look like to God, it must be how we all look. I later began to think more about the relationship I have with my heavenly father. I began to wonder, do I really trust Him? Do I trust that He knows whats best for me? Do I trust that when He says "no" to me, or says, "not now," that He has a better plan for me, or is protecting me?
It makes me think about my job as a parent. It is my responsibility to care for and protect my children. Part of that responsibility is saying no to unhealthy things. I know what is best for Jack right now, and ice cream for breakfast is not what is best. Ice cream for breakfast is going to lead to a sugar high and a tummy ache. I don't want Jack to be sick, so I say no, we can have ice cream later. Our relationship with God is similar. Sometimes He has to say no to us to protect us from ourselves, from the things we desire that are not good for our hearts and souls. Sometimes He has to say no to us because it just is not time.
God loves us so much that He does say no. I love Jack and Henry so much that I have to say no. Not because I am mean or don't care for their desires, but that I love them so much I want to protect them and I know what will be best for them. When God says no to my prayers, or says "not now," it is hard, but I have to trust that He knows what is best for me. It means that I have to trust His will for me, even if I sometimes don't understand. I am thankful that God loves me even when I act like a crying two year old.
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