This morning I had a memory. Disclaimer: It’s a memory about my daughter and her earthly father. This is in NO WAY calling him a bad father or shaming. He is a good and loving dad, but he’s an earthly dad and I’m CERTAIN other dads have done very similar things. This isn’t about him and his decision and IS about us and how we look to our HEAVENLY Father and how He shows us perfect love in sometimes NOT giving us what we want.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There was a day when my daughter was probably around 3 years old and her daddy was at home with her for the day. She wanted to eat cookies for breakfast and he told her no. Well, as 3 year olds are known to do, she persisted. Ultimately, he relented and she ate a whole sleeve of cookies.

Now, did she die? No. Did anything bad happen? No. Was it good for her nutritionally? Also, no. Was it a good lesson? Also no.

Again, I’m telling this NOT from the perspective of shaming the parent AT ALL.

Sometimes, we ask our Heavenly Father for things that seem ok and good to us, but He can see what we can’t. Sometimes we are like the 3 year olds crying for the cookies because we want them and can’t see that it might not be good for us. Unlike us humans, He is perfect in His ways and all-knowing. So sometimes, He doesn’t give us what we are asking for. It’s not out of punishment, or out of withholding, but out of LOVE. It can be for our protection, maybe it doesn’t work with where and what He is directing us toward, maybe it isn’t in line with His plans overall.

And THAT is pure love.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There’s never a promise that He will answer us in OUR way or OUR time, but He WILL provide us with everything we need according to HIS will, way and timing and we can have PEACE in knowing that even if the answer is NOT what WE envisioned, it is BETTER. Surrender and trust and He will give you peace.

Perfect Father God,

You are the greatest, above all, and your ways are perfect, as is your love for us.

When my heart grows anxious for the things that I think I need, please remind me that worry is not necessary because you have me in your hand and I shall not want.

Thank you, Father, for your love and for teaching us how to love each other in your way.

Help me to lead with words and actions that reflect your love.

In Jesus’ name, Amen! 🙏