Every year, we stay with some of our grandchildren while the parents go
on a vacation.
Last year, one little grandson prayed every night
that a certain toy would be in the store. He longed for this toy; he
dreamed about this toy; it was high on his "want" list. He had received
permission from his parents, before they left, to buy it. Towards the
end of the week, we went shopping, but the desired toy was not there. He
kept praying, bless his little heart. The faith of a child!
1
Thessalonians 5:17 - Never stop praying. (GWT)
A couple of days
later, we went to the store once again. He was anticipating seeing the
toy and buying it with his own hard-earned money. How disappointed he
was, when once again, it wasn't there!
That night, as I tucked
him into bed, we talked about how he had prayed every night that the toy
would be available, and yet, it wasn't there. It seemed that God hadn't
answered his prayer.
With disappointment written all over his
face that night, I asked our grandson if God had answered his prayer. He
immediately said, "No!" I suggested to him that God did answer, but the
answer wasn't "Yes"; it was "No", or possibly "No, wait a while". His
face just lit up. I knew he understood.
What a valuable lesson
this is to learn while we are young. Often, we expect God to grant us
every request we send His way. And yet, He knows it might not be good
for us, or the timing isn't quite right. We don't see anything beyond
today, but God sees the whole picture, and isn't that a good thing?
Let's learn the lessons here. Let's pray without ceasing. Let's
trust God with the answers He gives us. Let's trust that He knows what
is best for us. Let's trust that God will give us all of our needs!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an impatient people we are! We want instant
gratification in all areas of our lives. Forgive us when we don't trust
You. Forgive us when we are angry that You haven't met our expectations.
Forgive us for trying to put You in the box that we want You to fit in.
Thank You for withholding the things that aren't for our good. Help us
to trust You during those times. Amen.
Judy Miller
gjmiller@PROTECTED
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca
