Father Knows Best
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Have you ever noticed that toddlers never thank you for taking something away from them? It’s the other way around. Most times kids have a fit because they want more of something, not less. I remember being in a grocery store when I noticed a mother who seemed rather worn. Her daughter was standing in the back of the cart crying at the top of her lungs. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she was standing on her tiptoes, her knuckles white as she held onto the side of the cart. She was mad! Despite the exhausting tantrum, I still remember her mother calmly saying over and over again, “No, you can’t have that. No, you can’t have that either . . . no . . . no . . . no.”
As I thought back on that experience, I began to realize how often we as Christians are like that little girl. We might not throw a fit, but how often do we reach for a relationship or a job or a dream and get frustrated with God when He says, “No.” The truth is we’re a lot more like that two-year-old than we’d like to admit. To her, a big bottle of Windex looked like Kool-Aid, but her mom knew what was best. I wonder how many times our Father in heaven patiently listens to us fuss and fume, knowing we’ll never come back to thank Him for saving us from something harmful. How often do we go back to our Savior and say, “Lord, thanks so much for protecting me from those things I wanted but certainly didn’t need.” Or “I was thirsty and thought that stuff would quench my thirst, but You knew better . . . so, thank You.”
Are you having an internal tug-of-war with God right now over some object of your affection? Has He kept something just out of reach that you’re convinced would be good for you? Remember, He loves you . . . and truly is the Father who knows best!