But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
they have turned aside and gone away.
They do not say in their hearts,
‘Let us fear the Lord our God,
who gives the rain in its season,
the autumn rain and the spring rain,
and keeps for us
the weeks appointed for the harvest.’
(Jeremiah 5:23-24)
Carter was probably three years old when he had his first true temper tantrum. Keith was gone to work and after a full morning of play followed by lunch, I told him it was time to lay down for a nap. He immediately proceeded to throw himself on the floor - wildly flinging his arms and legs while screaming at his loudest tenor, while I tried to pick him up. I still vividly remember how surprised I was and how much it hurt my heart to see this behavior over something as simple as "let's take a nap".
As I look back on my own life, I can see these same types of tantrum's that I've had with my Heavenly Father. You know, when...
- When He makes me wait longer than what I would like before answering my prayer.
- When He doesn't answer in the way that I wanted or expected.
- When He just says "no".
Yet, I often look back and shake my head at my stubborn and rebellious heart. It's funny how quickly I forget that God always knows what's best. His answers always prove to serve me more effectively than anything I could ever conjure up. His answers always produce my optimal personal growth and maturity, despite my knee-jerk tantrums.
As always, Carter woke up that day from his nap feeling refreshed, energized, and happy, and I reminded him "momma was right...you needed that nap"!
In the same way, I often find myself looking back and seeing God's goodness through His sovereign answers to my prayers despite what I thought I wanted or needed. Interestingly, I've not yet seen my Heavenly Father find the need to say "I told you so" as I do with my children - or anyone else that challenges me, for that matter.
Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy despite my stubborn ways. Thank you for your Word that gently reminds me:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
May You be glorified and I be humbled, as I submit myself to You and Your sovereign answers to my prayers. It's in Jesus matchless name I ask these things, Amen.
If you find this to be a blessing please share!