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Don't Settle

 

With amazement, I watched as my one-year-old began to eat the day-old remains of macaroni on the floor. I was not confused because this was the first time that he had shown interest in macaroni, but because he was choosing the stale noodles under his chair rather than enjoying the hot and fresh food waiting for him on his tray.



Because kids do strange things occasionally, I was not offended. But I was confused. Why was he choosing the cold and old over the new and appealing? As my paternal-instincts kicked in, I tried to redirect him toward today's treats, but as I approached him to lift him toward His chair, he sensed my coming and started to fuss. With a series of grunts and whines, he let me know that he did not want to leave his discovered treasure.


Knowing that the food on his plate would be both more enjoyable and better for him, I picked him up and set him in front of the pizza that waited. He immediately broke into a cry. He was not happy with me, even though my intervention had been for his own good. He kicked and screamed for a solid two minutes, but eventually the volume softened, and his protest lessened.
Next thing I knew, he was shoveling the pizza into his mouth hand over fist.


The smile on his face only slightly hidden by the smeared pizza
sauce convinced me that he was enjoying his food. Even though it took some time to convince him that warm pizza is better than cold macaroni, he was showing no signs of regret and not a hint of disappointment.


Have you ever wondered if God feels like a parent? After examining my own life, I am sure that He does. There are definitely times when God's desires to bless us are thwarted by our own short-sighted perspectives. God longs to grant us successful and fulfilling relationships, yet sometimes we settle
for shallow and wounding ones. He longs to lead us into spiritual bliss where we enjoy our relationship with Him and understand the abundance that comes in obedience, yet occasionally, we fight Him and disobey. This, in turn, drives a wedge into this all-important and defining relationship.

 

God knows what pursuits will bring fulfillment and joy, yet rather than allowing Him to lift us up and position us in the things that provide satisfaction, we try one thing after another, continually experiencing discouragement and uneasiness.


With this perspective, I have worked to train myself to trust. To trust His timing and His knowledge of what is best for me. Rather than kicking and screaming because I don't get my way, I am learning to rely on His perfect design for my life.


It is not always easy to trust and obey, but I have yet to be disappointed.


His mercies are new every morning and His rewards are rich.

 

 

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